Parental perceptions of their child's overweight: an integrative review of the literature

Abstract

This integrative review described recent published data addressing parental perceptions of their child's overweight. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria for the study. Parents of overweight children underestimate their child's weight status or are not concerned about the risks associated with overweight. Child age, gender, and ethnicity may influence parental perceptions of child overweight. Some parents may use criteria other than growth charts to perceive overweight as a problem. Health care providers need to understand parents' perceptions to tailor effective child weight loss interventions. A formalized tool is needed to aid practitioners in identifying parental perceptions of child overweight.