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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Parental perception of child's body mass index and health within primary care
Imelda Reyes1, Melinda Higgins2
1Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.
Insights
Parents often underestimate their child's weight status, especially for younger children. Early education on healthy weight is crucial for pediatric health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Addressing pediatric overweight and obesity is sensitive for patients and families.
- Recognition of a child's weight status and readiness for change can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather statistics on pediatric weight status during well-child visits.
- To assess parental perception of their child's weight in relation to age.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to parents/caregivers of children aged 2-18.
- Data collection occurred during well-child visits with informed consent.
Main Results:
- Parents consistently underestimated their child's weight status.
- Underestimation was more pronounced in parents of younger children.
Conclusions:
- Parental underestimation of child weight is prevalent across cultures and age groups.
- Early, targeted education on healthy weight is recommended for pediatric interventions.
Background And Purpose:
Overweight and obesity are sensitive issues to address with pediatric patients during any visit. Patients and families may not recognize that their child is overweight or obese and may not be ready to make change. The goals for this study were to collect overall statistics on the clinic in regards to weight status of children presenting for well child visits and to capture parental perception of the child's weight status in relation to child's age.
Methods:
A consecutive sample of parents and caregivers with a child aged 2-18 completed the survey and consented for the study on the day of the survey during a well child visit.
Conclusions:
Parents, regardless of culture and age tended to underestimate the weight of their child. These findings further support the literature in that the younger the child, the more likely it is that the parent underestimates their weight status.
Implications For Practice:
Interventions should include early education with parents on what a healthy weight is and how it can predict future health. Addressing and recognizing early concerns and assessing parental perception can be important if educational messages are delivered throughout the span of the early years.
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