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Am J Perinatol 2020; 37(05): 525-533
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1683959
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Parental Perceptions and Behaviors Regarding Child Weight Status among Toddlers Born Preterm

Jessica Londeree Saleska
1   Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
,
Kelly Sheppard
2   Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
,
Abigail Norris Turner
1   Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
3   Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
,
Kelly M. Boone
4   Schoenbaum Family Center and Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
,
Sarah A. Keim
1   Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
2   Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
5   Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

27 August 2018

13 February 2019

Publication Date:
27 March 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Objective Childhood obesity is a significant determinant of adult obesity. Among children born preterm, rapid “catch-up growth” in infancy increases the risk of later obesity. Parental perceptions of their child's weight status may compound the child's biologically heightened risk of obesity.

Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of data on parental perceptions of child weight status from a randomized controlled trial (2012–2017, n = 331 toddlers born preterm). We used the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) to measure parental child feeding behaviors and beliefs. We calculated the prevalence of incorrect weight estimation, and used t-tests and chi-square tests to compare sample characteristics by correct versus incorrect weight estimation. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for factors associated with parental underestimation of child weight status.

Results Most (90%) children were of normal weight, whereas 3% were underweight and 7% were overweight. A majority (75%) of parents correctly estimated their child's weight status. Incorrect weight estimation was only associated with child's actual weight. Parents of overweight children were more likely to underestimate their child's weight status than parents of normal weight children (OR: 2.23, 95% confidence interval: 2.00–2.49). Mean CFQ scores differed by the child's actual weight status but not by the child's estimated weight status.

Conclusion Among these toddlers born preterm, significantly higher proportions of parents with underweight and overweight children incorrectly estimated their child's weight status relative to parents of normal weight children. Our findings suggest that weight underestimation could be a problem in this population, although it was not associated with changes in feeding practices.

Keywords

preterm - parental perception - obesity - weight - feeding practices