Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 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

28.0K

AGREEMENT BETWEEN MEASURED AND PERCEIVED NUTRITIONAL STATUS REPORTED BY PRESCHOOL CHILDREN'S MOTHERS

Dixis Figueroa Pedraza1, Carolina Pereira da Cunha Sousa1, Ricardo Alves de Olinda1

  • 1Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.

Revista Paulista De Pediatria : Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade De Pediatria De Sao Paulo
|October 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Mothers often misperceive their preschool children's nutritional status, particularly underestimating overweight. This perception gap is more pronounced in younger boys, impacting accurate health assessments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Maternal Health
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Accurate assessment of preschool children's nutritional status is crucial for early intervention.
  • Maternal perception of a child's weight can influence health-related decisions.
  • Discrepancies between perceived and actual nutritional status may lead to delayed or inappropriate care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the concordance between mothers' perception of their preschool children's nutritional status and the clinically diagnosed status.
  • To identify differences in this agreement based on children's sex and age.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 269 preschool children from public daycare centers in Northeast Brazil.
  • Data collected included children's date of birth, sex, and nutritional status (weight/stature Z-scores).
  • Mothers' perception of their child's weight was recorded, and agreement was analyzed using the weighted Kappa test.

Main Results:

  • A significant disagreement (32.7%) was found between perceived and diagnosed nutritional status, with an insignificant Kappa value (0.122).
  • Mothers significantly underestimated overweight in their children (69.6%).
  • Agreement was higher for girls and older children (36-59 months) regarding overweight perception.

Conclusions:

  • Mothers face challenges in accurately recognizing their preschool children's nutritional status, especially underestimating overweight.
  • Maternal perception of overweight is particularly inaccurate in younger children and boys.
  • These findings highlight the need for improved maternal education on child nutrition and weight assessment.
Abstract

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

5.2K
'Boden Food Plate': Novel Interactive Web-based Method for the Assessment of Dietary Intake04:46

'Boden Food Plate': Novel Interactive Web-based Method for the Assessment of Dietary Intake

Published on: September 18, 2018

7.9K

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern01:29

Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern

Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
532
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
7.2K
Self-Schemas02:16

Self-Schemas

In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
36.4K
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
1.1K
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects01:29

Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects

Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
347