Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

26.7K

Generational shift in parental perceptions of overweight among school-aged children

Andrew R Hansen1, Dustin T Duncan2, Yelena N Tarasenko3

  • 1Departments of Community Health Behavior and Education.

Pediatrics
|August 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Parents are increasingly failing to recognize when their children are overweight, indicating a shift in social norms regarding childhood weight. This trend may impact family readiness to adopt healthy behaviors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Parental perceptions of a child's weight status are crucial for family engagement in healthy behaviors.
  • This study examines how parental perceptions of children's weight have changed across generations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate generational shifts in parental perceptions of children's weight status.
  • To understand how these perceptions have evolved over time and their implications for public health.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988-1994 and 2005-2010.
  • Analyzed responses from parents regarding their perception of their child's weight (ages 6-11) against CDC growth charts.
  • Employed Poisson regression to assess changes in the probability of parents correctly identifying their child's overweight status.

Main Results:

  • The threshold for parental perception of overweight status has significantly shifted to a higher BMI percentile over time.
  • Children perceived as overweight had higher mean BMI z-scores in the recent survey, particularly those from low-income families and African American children.
  • The accuracy of parental identification of overweight/obese children decreased by 24% between the two survey periods.

Conclusions:

  • Overweight and obese children were less likely to be perceived as overweight by parents in the more recent survey.
  • This declining accuracy suggests a potential generational shift in societal norms surrounding body weight.
  • The findings highlight a growing disconnect between actual child weight status and parental perception, potentially affecting interventions for childhood obesity.
Abstract

Keywords:
BMINHANESchildrenobesityoverweightparental perceptionsocial norms

More Related Videos

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

4.4K
Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents09:10

Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents

Published on: November 1, 2019

10.6K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity01:23

Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity

Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
816
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
364
Signs of Puberty01:27

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
2.1K
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification03:00

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
4.7K
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other01:20

Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other

According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
458