Sarita Dhuper1, Nagla Bayoumi2, Janhavi Dalvi3, Barry Panzer4. 1. Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA. 2. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA. naglabayoumi@gmail.com. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Brookdale University Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA. 4. Departments of Pediatrics & Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study assessed whether maternal BMI and perceptions about weight and reported level of readiness to change was correlated with compliance to a pediatric lifestyle modification program targeting a hard-to-reach urban population with a high prevalence of severe obesity. METHODS: The Parental Readiness Questionnaire (PRQ) was administered to the child's mother at program entry. The PRQ consisted of forty-seven multiple-choice and 10-point Likert scale questions regarding family demographics, exercise and eating habits, attitudes about health, body image, and weight, and the desire to improve nutrition and physical activity. Analysis was performed on PRQs of participants to compare parental perceptions and readiness for change with compliance to program requirements. Analysis was conducted on 596 questionnaires and compliance was categorized into three groups based on attendance to follow-up visits. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between short-term and long-term follow-up groups in regards to parental perception of one's health as well as the health, weight, and body image of their child. Differences were found in perceptions of one's own weight and body image as well as the health of one's self and child between the group with a maternal BMI < 35 and the group with a maternal BMI ≥ 35. A lower maternal BMI was associated with a better perception of one's own weight, body image, and health, as well as the health of the child. CONCLUSION: Positive parental perceptions on weight were correlated with improved compliance to a pediatric lifestyle modification program.
BACKGROUND: This study assessed whether maternal BMI and perceptions about weight and reported level of readiness to change was correlated with compliance to a pediatric lifestyle modification program targeting a hard-to-reach urban population with a high prevalence of severe obesity. METHODS: The Parental Readiness Questionnaire (PRQ) was administered to the child's mother at program entry. The PRQ consisted of forty-seven multiple-choice and 10-point Likert scale questions regarding family demographics, exercise and eating habits, attitudes about health, body image, and weight, and the desire to improve nutrition and physical activity. Analysis was performed on PRQs of participants to compare parental perceptions and readiness for change with compliance to program requirements. Analysis was conducted on 596 questionnaires and compliance was categorized into three groups based on attendance to follow-up visits. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between short-term and long-term follow-up groups in regards to parental perception of one's health as well as the health, weight, and body image of their child. Differences were found in perceptions of one's own weight and body image as well as the health of one's self and child between the group with a maternal BMI < 35 and the group with a maternal BMI ≥ 35. A lower maternal BMI was associated with a better perception of one's own weight, body image, and health, as well as the health of the child. CONCLUSION: Positive parental perceptions on weight were correlated with improved compliance to a pediatric lifestyle modification program.
Authors: Kathryn C Eckstein; Laura M Mikhail; Adolfo J Ariza; J Scott Thomson; Scott C Millard; Helen J Binns Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 7.124