Caregiver perceptions of child nutritional status in Magallanes, Chile

We aimed to identify risk factors for childhood overweight and obesity and the accuracy of caregivers'€™ perceptions of their child's nutritional status in the Magallanes region, Patagonia, Chile.

Heights and weights of children attending day care centers and elementary schools were collected and caregivers completed questionnaires regarding their child's health and behavior. The child's nutritional status was diagnosed using the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards (for children under age 6) and the CDC 2000 Growth Charts (for children age 6 and older). Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors related to childhood overweight/obesity and weight underestimation by caregivers of overweight or obese children.

Of the 795 children included in the study, 247 (31.1%) were overweight and 223 (28.1%) were obese. Risk factors for overweight/obesity included younger age and being perceived to eat more than normal by the caregiver. Caregivers were less likely to underestimate their child's weight if the child was older or if the caregiver believed the child ate more than a normal amount.

There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in Magallanes and the majority of caregivers underestimate the extent of the problem in their children.