title: Effect of an obesity pamphlet on parental perception and knowledge of excess weight in their children: results of a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effectiveness of a brief educational intervention in increasing parental knowledge of childhood obesity risk factors and ability to correctly identify their child's weight status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty parents were randomly allocated to an experimental group given an obesity pamphlet or a control group given a stress management pamphlet. A survey measured parents' knowledge about risk factors, cause and consequences of childhood obesity, and perception of their child's weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents with overweight or obese children increased their understanding of childhood obesity immediately after receiving the intervention, but did not differ significantly on perception of their child's weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experimental intervention increased knowledge of health risks associated with childhood obesity in parents of overweight or obese children. Parental perception of their child's weight status did not improve, suggesting that other factors have a role to play. SO WHAT? The obesity pamphlet may be a useful tool in a multifaceted approach targeting childhood obesity.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked bag 4, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Karina T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Rune
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked bag 4, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mulgrew
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked bag 4, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharman
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked bag 4, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia.
authors.forename: Geoff P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Lovell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D010174:Pamphlets; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors