Date of Award
11-1-2014
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Organizational Unit
Morgridge College of Education
First Advisor
Kathy E. Green, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Nicholas Cutforth
Third Advisor
Charles Reichardt
Keywords
Childhood obesity, Maternal perception of body weight
Abstract
Childhood overweight and obesity is a complex disease that requires early identification and intervention. Little research has investigated the influence of maternal perception of child body weight on reported child physical activity behaviors and importance to change these behaviors. Using parent survey and child body mass index (BMI) data, the current study evaluated the difference between maternal perception of child weight status and reported physical activity and sedentary behavior levels amongst preschool-aged children. Reported child physical activity and sedentary behavior levels were not significantly different depending on maternal misperception. A significant interaction, however, between maternal perception of child body weight and child gender, F(1, 469) = 4.70, p = 0.031 and maternal perception of child body weight and child ethnicity was revealed, F(1, 470) = 3.74, p = 0.05. Furthermore, the degree of importance mothers placed on changing child physical activity behavior was not significantly different depending on maternal misperception. The inability of mothers to accurately perceive the weight status of their child(ren) and report their child's physical activity behaviors has the potential to disrupt prevention intervention efforts. Thus, interventions should incorporate parental education, along with multi-faceted activities, to raise awareness and initiate change to increase physical activity and reduce pediatric overweight and obesity.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Kayla F. Brooks
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
en
File Size
58 p.
Recommended Citation
Brooks, Kayla F., "Maternal Perception of Child Body Weight and Physical Activity Behavior Patterns: Interactions with Gender and Ethnic Minority Status of Preschool Children" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 91.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/91
Copyright date
2014
Discipline
Public health, Behavioral sciences