Children's weight status and parental perception in Croatia

Parental recognition of children's weight status is an important factor in promoting healthy growth and preventing obesity. This study aimed to examine individual and contextual predictors of parental perceptions of their children's weight as well as to compare these perceptions within WHO BMI classification criteria.

The data were obtained from the CroCOSI survey conducted in Croatia in 2021/2022, using a nationally representative, regionally stratified sample of second and third grade primary school children (N = 5,603, aged 6-10 years). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between parental perception of a child's weight and BMI, child's gender, maternal and paternal BMI, parent gender and region of residence while socioeconomic status was controlled.

Most parents perceived their children as having normal weight, with a tendency to underestimate overweight cases. Child BMI and gender were consistent and strong predictors of parental perception of child's weight. Maternal BMI had a minor effect, while paternal BMI, parent gender and region of residence were not significantly associated with perception of child's weight. Socioeconomic status was a significant predictor, underscoring the role of social factors in shaping parental assessments.

Parental perception of children's weight status in Croatia displayed a consistent tendency toward underestimation of obesity, with most parents perceiving their children as having normal weight despite WHO BMI classifications. Child BMI, gender and socioeconomic status were key predictors of perception, highlighting the importance of both individual and social factors in shaping parental perception of child weight.