Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
The Perceptions and Experiences of Brazilian Primary Caregivers of Preschoolers With Obesity: A Qualitative Study
Oscar Fidel Antunez Martinez1, Kai-Wei Katherine Wang2
1Oscar Fidel Antunez Martinez, Ph.D. Candidate, International PhD Program, School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan; Oscar Fidel Antunez Martinez, Research associate, School of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Introduction:
Childhood obesity is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide, particularly among children aged 5 years or younger in low-income settings, and is associated with adverse health outcomes. The study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of primary caregivers of preschool-aged children with obesity living in southern Brazil.
Methods:
A descriptive phenomenological design was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 participants, and data were analyzed following Colaizzi's seven-step method.
Results:
Three themes emerged: (1) normalcy in childhood obesity, reflecting caregivers' underestimation and limited recognition of excess weight; (2) sedentary lifestyles in preschoolers, influenced by safety concerns related to crime and weather; and (3) parental challenges in weight management, including insufficient supervision of sugary drinks and processed food consumption.
Discussions:
The interplay of cultural beliefs, environmental barriers, and systemic shortcomings of the obesogenic environment confronted by caregivers whose poor health literacy regarding childhood obesity warrants attention.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
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:
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
01:11Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
01:27Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders