Parents' contrasting views on diet versus activity of children: implications for health promotion and obesity prevention.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate parents' perceptions of, and contributions to, food and activity choices and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle in children.


METHODS
Ethnographically informed qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 47 parents (32 mothers and 15 fathers) of 5-7-year-old children.


RESULTS
Parents were concerned about children's low intake of food, the development of eating disorders and children being 'too active'. Therefore, they promoted eating and were controlling of diet because they thought that children would not eat enough for healthy development. They did not promote, or even curbed, physical activity because they considered their children were already active. Their accounts suggested lack of awareness of the dangers of over-consumption and inactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Parents' perceptions affected the way they raised their children and the choices that they made for them. Parents' concerns about under-consumption of food and over-activity contrast with the public health priorities to reduce intake and promote exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Health professionals need to take into account parents' perspectives on diet and physical activity when attempting to promote children's health and prevent obesity.
Lopez-Dicastillo
Olga
O
School of Nursing, University of Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona (Navarra), Spain. olopezde@unav.es
Grande
Gunn
G
Callery
Peter
P
D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010290:Parents; D036301:Qualitative Research; D040241:Social Marketing