Parents accurately perceive problematic eating behaviors but overestimate physical activity levels in preschool children.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the associations between parents' perceptions of their child's physical activity and eating behaviors to actual physical activity, body mass index percentage (BMI%), and body fat percentage (BF%). A secondary aim is to examine additional parental determinants to child's physical activity.
METHODS: Participants were preschool children (N = 114, 59 females, Mage= 4.06) from three University-sponsored centers and parents (N = 114, 107 mothers). Parents self-reported physical activity, perceptions of child's physical activity, and completed "The Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire". Children physical activity was collected with accelerometers.
RESULTS: Whereas 97% of the 68 parents with children meeting physical activity guidelines accurately identified their child as active, 93% of the 14 parents with children not meeting physical activity guidelines inaccurately identified their child as active (X2(1, N = 82) = 0.58, p = 0.446)). Regarding eating behaviors, child BMI% was moderately correlated with parent's perceptions of their child's Emotional Overeating (r(74) = 0.416, p < 0.001) and Food Responsiveness (r(74) = 0.543, p < 0.001). Parent's engagement in vigorous physical activity demonstrated a positive relationship to child's physical activity (r(78) = 0.297, p = 0.008).
CONCLUSION: Parents of inactive children have inaccurate perceptions of their child's physical activity. The association between children's BMI% and eating behaviors indicates parents can accurately perceive problematic eating behaviors. Parents, who accurately perceive their child's behaviors, may be in a better position to identify deficiency and seek early intervention. Additionally, parent's physical activity may have implications to children's physical activity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V: Descriptive cross-sectional study.