title: Treats: low socioeconomic status Australian parents' provision of extra foods for their overweight or obese children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Child obesity is a global issue, with rates highest among disadvantaged groups. Overconsumption of treats is a contributor to children's weight problems. The objective of this study was to explore low socioeconomic parents' beliefs and behaviours relating to their provision of treat foods for their overweight or obese children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative methods were used to collect data; these included introspections, interviews and focus groups. A total of 37 parents of overweight or obese children aged between 5 and 9 years took part in the 12-month study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most parents provided their children with treats on a daily basis. Factors affecting parents' provision of treats included parents' desire to control their children's behaviour, to demonstrate love and affection, and to address deprivation beliefs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is considerable scope for improving these parents' treating behaviours by understanding the relevant factors underpinning their situations and choices. SO WHAT? The findings provide an indication of the kinds of health promotion interventions that may be needed to assist in addressing treating behaviours among disadvantaged parents with overweight or obese children.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pescud
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pettigrew
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D062410:Snacks; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors