title: Perception of Child Weight and Feeding Styles in Parents of Chinese-American Preschoolers.
abstract: Parent perception of weight and feeding styles are associated with obesity in other racial groups but have not been explored in-depth in Chinese-American preschoolers. Cross-sectional survey of 253 Chinese-American parents with preschoolers was performed in a community clinic. Regression analysis was used to assess relationships between parental perception of weight and feeding styles. Parent under-perception of weight was common but more likely in boys than girls (χ2= 4.91, p = 0.03). Pressuring was also greater in boys [adjusted mean difference (95% CI) 0.24 (0.004, 0.49)]. In girls, pressuring was lower for children perceived as overweight [adjusted mean difference in CFQ scores -0.75 (-1.27, -0.23)]; in boys, pressuring was high regardless of perceived child weight. Weight perceptions and feeding styles related to childhood obesity in other groups were identified in Chinese-American families. Parent under-perception of child weight and pressure to eat were more common in boys. These factors should be addressed in Chinese-American preschooler obesity prevention programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. LY286@med.nyu.edu.
authors.forename: Lucy Y
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1562-388X
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mendelsohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Fierman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Loretta Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Messito
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000208:ethnology*; D010465:Perception; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Childhood obesity; Chinese-American; Feeding style; Parental perception of weight