With the continued childhood obesity epidemic, it
is vital to understand how family members influence
health-related behavior change.
Objective: Assess associations between parent/child
weight-related variables and health-related behavior
change.
Methods: School-based screening of child weight
and parent-reported health survey.
Results: Child behavior change was influenced by
accuracy of parent perceived child weight. Parent
behavior change was primarily influenced by
concern about own weight. Parents accurately perceiving
their children as overweight were more likely
to make changes than parents with inaccurate
perceptions.
Conclusions: Health promotion programs should
incorporate parent accuracy of child and concern
for own weight.