Low-income minority and homeless mothers' perceptions of their 9-13 year-old children's weight status, diet, and health

Kristen Wiig Dammann, Chery Smith, Rickelle Richards

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine low-income mothers' perceptions of their children's height and weight in relation to actual measures, and perceptions of dietary quality and health status. Demographic, anthropometric, and dietary quality/health status data were collected during a multi-phase nutrition research project with low-income Minnesotans, and a sub-set of non-pregnant mother-child dyads (mothers ages ≥ 18 years, children ages 9-13 years) were analyzed (n = 257). Participants were Caucasian, African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian, or Other/mixed race, and most were homeless. Relationships between maternal perceptions of their child's height and weight and the actual measures, and maternal perceptions of dietary quality and health status for the dyad, were examined using independent and paired samples t-tests, ANOVA, and paired samples correlations. Comparisons were also made by maternal and child body mass index (BMI) status and living situation. Mothers significantly underestimated their child's height and weight (-4.8 ± 13.9 cm, P = 0.000; -5.3 ± 8.5 kg, P = 0.000); greatest misperceptions of weight were among mothers of overweight/obese children (P = 0.000). Mothers not reporting estimates of their child's height and weight (n = 53) had higher BMIs (P = 0.029), and their children were younger (P = 0.000) and lighter (P = 0.021) compared to mothers who provided estimates. Inability to objectify children's weight status may contribute to the obesity epidemic affecting low-income minority populations. Underestimation of weight status may be influenced by cultural perceptions of body image and socioeconomic status.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)106-114
Number of pages9
JournalMaternal and child health journal
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This project was funded in part by the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota and the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program. We sincerely thank the mothers and children who participated in these studies, along with the staff at the homeless shelters who provided general assistance. None of the authors have any conflicts of interest.

Keywords

  • Children
  • Low-income
  • Obesity
  • Overweight

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