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How do parents of 4- to 5-year-old children perceive the weight of their children?

  1. HGM Oude Luttikhuis1,2,
  2. RP Stolk2,
  3. PJJ Sauer1

Article first published online: 9 NOV 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01576.x

Issue

Acta Paediatrica

Acta Paediatrica

Volume 99, Issue 2, pages 263–267, February 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Oude Luttikhuis, H., Stolk, R. and Sauer, P. (2010), How do parents of 4- to 5-year-old children perceive the weight of their children?. Acta Paediatrica, 99: 263–267. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01576.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

  2. 2

    Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

*PJJ Sauer, M.D., Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001 (CA80), 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands. Tel: +31-50-3614830 | Fax: +31-50-3611704 | Email: p.j.j.sauer@bkk.umcg.nl

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 JAN 2010
  2. Article first published online: 9 NOV 2009
  3. Received 30 July 2009; revised 11 September 2009; accepted 5 October 2009.

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Keywords:

  • Children;
  • Obesity;
  • Overweight;
  • Parents;
  • Weight perception

Abstract

Introduction:  A heavier weight in adults is becoming the norm rather than an abnormal weight. Whether the same trend is happening in children is unknown.

Objective:  To assess the perception of the weight of 4- to 5-year-old children and the recognition of overweight by both parents.

Design:  Population-based survey.

Participants:  A questionnaire was sent to parents of 1155 4- to 5-year-old children.

Results:  In total, 439 questionnaires (35%) were returned. Of all, 90% of the children had a normal weight, 9.3% were overweight and 4.1% were obese. For all weight classes, the parents depicted the child as lighter on both the verbal and visual scale. Of all, 75% of mothers of overweight children stated that the child had a normal weight. In obese children, 50% of the mothers believed that the child had a normal weight.

Conclusion:  Children with a weight in the normal range were considered by their parents as a little too light or too light. Overweight was considered as normal weight, and obesity as normal or a little too heavy. The perception of a normal weight in children at 4–5 years is distorted.

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