Parental Perceptions of Body Mass Index and Obesity in School Age Children

4th place award at the Ohio Public Health Association Conference in May 2006Parental Perceptions of Body Mass Index and Obesity in School Age Children Background: Childhood obesity research focuses on causes and complications. Gaps exist related to parental perceptions of BMI as a screening tool for obesity, receipt of BMI information, and the school’s role in the collection and distribution of BMI data. Objectives: To determine: (a) parental perceptions regarding the causes of obesity and use of BMI as a screening tool for obesity; (b) preference for method of receipt of BMI information; and (c) parental perceptions of the school’s role in prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Method: This cross sectional, descriptive study used convenience sampling. Participants were parents of elementary school age children attending a suburban school. An anonymous survey “Parental perceptions of Body Mass Index and obesity in the school age child” was adapted from a previously used instrument. The survey and attached introductory letter were placed in the mail folders of all children attending the latchkey program. Parents returned the survey to a sealed box at the site. Results: Of the 507 surveys distributed and received by parents, 117 surveys were returned, yielding a 23% response rate. Participants were typically female, 40 years old or younger, white, had two school age children, and a college graduate with a BMI between 17.8 and 24.9 kg/m2. Parents in this study who were male and had lower educational status had significantly higher BMIs. The majority of participants identified inactivity, poor eating behavior, lack of parental control in what children eat, and eating too much as the main causes of childhood obesity. The preferred method of receiving information about their child’s BMI from the school was via a letter from the school nurse (67.5%). Parents agreed that physical education classes should be present in schools (99.1%) as well as units on nutrition and weight control (82.8%). Parents also supported eliminating junk food machines and offering special low calorie meals. Conclusions: Parents demonstrated support for school intervention in the obesity epidemic. School and public health nurses can use this information to advocate for physical education classes, health curriculum on nutrition and weight control, reducing the amount of junk food that is available, and offering special low calorie meals. Furthermore, school nurses should focus on the parents’ desire to receive their child’s BMI information in a letter from the nurse. Forming a parent/school nurse/administrator group to draft an appropriate letter may increase acceptance. Additional research should be conducted which addresses the outcomes of sending such letters home. School and public health nurses are in a prime position to collect data in their school districts to determine parental preferences and beliefs regarding BMI and childhood obesity.Lida Shriver Nursing Scholarship and Research Fund within the College of Nursin