Maternal concern and perceptions of overweight in Australian preschool-aged children

Abstract

Objective: To assess maternal concern about overweight in Australian preschool-aged children and factors predicting maternal concern about children's current and future weight status. Design: Cross-sectional su rvey of child's body mass index and parent questionnaire. Setting: Metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, 2002. Participants: A commu nity-based cohort of 324 4-year-old children and their parents. Main outcome measures: Mothers' reports of concern about the child's current and future weight status, and perceptions of the child's weight, diet and activity relative to their peers were compared with the child's measured weight status, and parent and child characteristics. Results: The preval..