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Weight-control behavior among obese children: association with family-related factors
Fei-Ling Wu1, Shu Yu, Ien-Lan Wei
1Intructor, Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Taiwan.
Insights
Most obese children attempt weight control, but success is influenced by factors like obesity level and parental involvement. Support for parents and low-income foster families is crucial for effective childhood obesity management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding weight-control behaviors in obese children is essential for developing effective interventions.
- Parental supervision and socioeconomic factors play a role in managing childhood obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate weight-control behaviors in obese children.
- To understand the role of parental supervision in childhood obesity management.
- To explore factors influencing weight-control behavior in obese children.
Main Methods:
- A structured questionnaire was administered to 287 obese children (grades 3-4) and their parents in Taipei City.
- Subjects were recruited based on a weight-for-length index greater than or equal to 1.2.
- Data analysis explored correlations between various factors and weight-control behaviors.
Main Results:
- 97% of obese children engaged in weight-control behaviors, primarily avoiding fried foods.
- Exercise frequency and consistency were insufficient in many children; 27% did not exercise regularly.
- Factors influencing weight control included obesity level, mother's education, family structure, socioeconomic status, parental perception, concern, and supervision.
- Severely obese children used inappropriate weight-loss methods; children in foster care or from low socioeconomic backgrounds exhibited poorer behaviors.
- Higher parental concern correlated with better weight-control behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Interventions should support parents in addressing childhood obesity and assist children in managing their weight.
- Targeted support for foster families and low-income families is needed to enhance family function and resource utilization.
- Addressing socioeconomic disparities and improving parental engagement are key to successful childhood obesity management.
Unlabelled:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the weight-control behavior of obese children, to understand parents' supervision and to explore related factors that influenced the weight-control behavior. A structured questionnaire was employed in this study. A random sample of 287 children and their parents was recruited from six elementary schools in Shihlin and Peitou districts of Taipei City. Criteria employed for recruitment of subjects were: third and fourth grade in elementary schools, and weight-for-length index > or = 1.2.
Results:
Fifty-six percent of the obese children were mildly obese and eleven percent were severely obese. Ninety-seven percent of the subjects adopted weight-control behavior, the most frequent one being avoiding fried food. The exercise frequency and time duration consistency were generally insufficient. Twenty-seven percent of the obese children were not in the habit of exercising. Factors that influenced the execution of weight-control behavior by the obese children included obesity level, mother's education, family structure, socioeconomic status of the family, parents' perception of their children's weight, parents' concern, and supervision. Our study found that severely obese children attempted to lose weight with inappropriate methods. Children staying in foster families or with grandparents, or from families of low socioeconomic status, had poorer weight-control behavior. Children whose parents were more concerned about their weight problem tended to have better weight-control behavior. Therefore, it is important to assist the parents of obese children to confront the issue of obesity and help the children solve their weight problem. It is also important to help foster families with low income to make the most of social resources to reinforce the family function.