Emma Esdaile1,2, Katherine B Owen1, Huilan Xu3, Louise A Baur1,2,4, Chris Rissel1,2,5, Li Ming Wen1,2,3. 1. Sydney School of Public Health, Prevention Research Collaboration, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in the Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 5. Office of Preventive Health, New South Wales Ministry of Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED: Support for broad policies to prevent childhood obesity is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the level of support for state government health promotion policies among mothers with infants and its associated factors. METHODS: This secondary analysis of data from 1155 mothers in NSW assessed approval for six policy options derived from public health approaches to obesity. Descriptive statistics were used to show the extent of policy approval across the cohort. Logistic regression models tested associations between perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of childhood obesity and approval of each policy option. RESULTS: The proportion of mothers who felt these policy options were 'about the right amount' (56%-68%) or 'not going far enough' (24%-36%), collectively represented 89%-95% approval of government intervention. In comparison, 5%-11% felt that these policies were 'going too far'. Factors associated with their levels of support varied between each policy option, based on mothers' characteristics and perceptions of childhood obesity. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate high support for government intervention to prevent obesity among mothers in NSW and support health promotion advocacy in this area. SO WHAT?: Governments should give due consideration to implementing each of the six policy options and prioritise the implementation of restrictions on fast food advertising in publicly owned or controlled areas.
ISSUE ADDRESSED: Support for broad policies to prevent childhood obesity is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the level of support for state government health promotion policies among mothers with infants and its associated factors. METHODS: This secondary analysis of data from 1155 mothers in NSW assessed approval for six policy options derived from public health approaches to obesity. Descriptive statistics were used to show the extent of policy approval across the cohort. Logistic regression models tested associations between perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of childhood obesity and approval of each policy option. RESULTS: The proportion of mothers who felt these policy options were 'about the right amount' (56%-68%) or 'not going far enough' (24%-36%), collectively represented 89%-95% approval of government intervention. In comparison, 5%-11% felt that these policies were 'going too far'. Factors associated with their levels of support varied between each policy option, based on mothers' characteristics and perceptions of childhood obesity. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate high support for government intervention to prevent obesity among mothers in NSW and support health promotion advocacy in this area. SO WHAT?: Governments should give due consideration to implementing each of the six policy options and prioritise the implementation of restrictions on fast food advertising in publicly owned or controlled areas.
Authors: Mahalakshmi Ekambareshwar; Sarah Taki; Seema Mihrshahi; Louise Baur; Li Ming Wen; Chris Rissel Journal: Health Promot J Austr Date: 2021-12-08