title: The effect of parental feeding behaviours and participation of children in organized sports/activities on child body mass index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we explored the relationship of parental feeding practices and child physical activity levels with measured body mass index (BMI) in a sample of 97 Ontario preschoolers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Child weight and height were measured; physical activity and sedentary behaviours were assessed by questionnaire. Preschoolers' parents used the Child Feeding Questionnaire to report their attitudes, concerns, and practices in relation to child feeding. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to determine relationships among variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Up to 25% of the preschoolers were overweight and/or obese. The regression model accounted for 53% of the variance in child BMI. Child BMI was predicted to be higher when parents had concerns about and perceived their children to be overweight, and when they felt responsible for what their children ate. Children's BMIs were predicted to be lower for those whose parents pressured them to eat and also for those who engaged in organized sports or activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests an association between BMI and parental perceptions, concerns, and practices related to child feeding and organized sports or activities. Public health initiatives related to healthy eating and/or obesity prevention should include a focus on parents of preschool-aged children with the home environment as a potential setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: John J M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Elizabeth Shaver
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Heeney
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goy
authors.forename: Janis Randall
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D013177:Sports