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Parental Engagement in Infant Obesity Preventative Interventions: Maternal Awareness, Barriers, and Facilitators

Agnes Gelmini1, Cassandra L Tellegen2, Alina Morawska1

  • 1School of Psychology, Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|August 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Many mothers underestimate infant obesity, viewing it as a concern only after age two. Parental engagement in early obesity prevention programs requires tailored content focusing on general baby health rather than solely on weight concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Maternal and Child Health

Background:

  • Infant obesity affects nearly 10% of children under two, with long-term health implications.
  • Parental recognition of infant overweight is a barrier to early intervention.
  • Understanding maternal perceptions is crucial for designing effective prevention programs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore maternal perceptions of infant obesity.
  • To identify preferred program content and engagement strategies for parents.
  • To uncover barriers and facilitators for parental involvement in infant obesity prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional online survey.
  • 240 mothers of children aged 0-24 months participated.

Main Results:

  • Most mothers recognized overweight can affect infants but believed it's an issue only after age two.
  • Mothers prioritized concerns about underweight over overweight in infants.
  • Parents were open to programs focused on general baby health and positive parenting, not specifically infant obesity prevention or feeding.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal perceptions highlight a need for education on the risks of infant obesity.
  • Interventions should focus on broader child health promotion to increase engagement.
  • Tailoring program content and messaging is essential for effective parental involvement in infant obesity prevention research.
Abstract

Keywords:
Early preventionInfant obesityMaternal perceptionsParental engagementParenting programs

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