AIM: To evaluate factors that influence parental perception of diabetes mellitus risk for their child. METHOD: Self-administered survey of parents in a managed care plan. RESULTS: Child overweight status, family history of type 2 diabetes, and accurate parental perception of their child's overweight status were independent predictors of parental worry about diabetes and perception of greater diabetes risk for their child. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate parental perception of their child's weight status and a family history of type 2 diabetes may serve as useful motivators in the clinical setting for diabetes prevention.
AIM: To evaluate factors that influence parental perception of diabetes mellitus risk for their child. METHOD: Self-administered survey of parents in a managed care plan. RESULTS:Child overweight status, family history of type 2 diabetes, and accurate parental perception of their child's overweight status were independent predictors of parental worry about diabetes and perception of greater diabetes risk for their child. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate parental perception of their child's weight status and a family history of type 2 diabetes may serve as useful motivators in the clinical setting for diabetes prevention.