title: Hispanic Parental Perceptions of Child Weight in Preschool-Aged Children: An Integrated Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity continues to disproportionately affect ethnic minorities. Parents play an integral role in early childhood, and parental perceptions regarding their child's weight are key to obesity prevention. Cultural differences contribute to parental perceptions, and increased understandings of these characteristics provide a basis to address obesity in high-risk populations at an earlier age. The aim of this integrative review was to analyze extant literature to identify Hispanic parental perceptions of their preschool-aged child's weight status.
  
  
  METHODS
  An integrative review of studies measuring Hispanic parental perception was conducted. Computerized searches were completed using MEDLINE, PubMed, CINHAL, Eric, and PsychINFO. Articles were included if they were English, included children 2-5 years of age, included a Hispanic population, and evaluated parental perception of their child's weight status. A total of 14 articles (n=8 qualitative; n=6 quantitative) met criteria and were included in the review. Cooper's integrative review methodology was used, and articles were evaluated for quality using Polit and Beck's evidence hierarchy leveling system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed six themes of Hispanic parental perceptions relative to their preschool-aged child's weight: parental perception of body weight; relationship between child weight and health; causes and consequences of overweight; familial roles and influences on child weight; prevention of overweight; and cultural influences within the United States.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review highlights the importance of developing sociocultural approaches to addressing childhood obesity within the Hispanic population. Additional research is needed to incorporate what is known about Hispanic parental perceptions to positively influence behavior change during early childhood.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO.
authors.forename: Kristine I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gance-Cleveland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology