279959
Linking parent perceptions of children's weight to early coronary risk factors: Results from the cardiac study
Methods. This study analyzed the association between 147 rural fifth grade students' lipid profiles and parents' self-reported survey who participated in the 2008-2011 Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) study.
Results. After controlling for covariates, underestimated children, verses over and correctly estimated children, were six times more likely to have higher log-transformed triglyceride levels (OR=6.35 p<0.05) and nearly 8% higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) values (OR=1.08, p=0.051). Children of parents who overestimated their BMI, verses children with under and correct estimates, had lower SBP values (OR= 0.952, P<0.05).
Conclusion. Underestimating a child's BMI is associated with coronary risk-related factors, while overestimating a child's BMI is shown to have a protective effect against CVD markers. Parents' perceptions of their children's risk may either facilitate or impede their subsequent treatment efforts when needed. A better understanding for what is needed to motivate parents to take that next step when risks arise for their children would help in compliance and knowledge of the condition over time.
Learning Areas:
EpidemiologyPublic health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the prevalence of parental (mis)perception of offspring's body mass index.
Identify the association between children whose body mass index was inaccurately estimated and their cardiovascular disease risk factors (i.e., higher triglyceride and systolic blood pressure values).
Keyword(s): Children's Health, Family Involvement
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have collaborated on numerous research projects in the area of maternal and child health, adolescent health, and injury control. My participation on these research projects range from study design and data collection to quantitative, secondary data analysis and manuscript writing. I also designed, conducted, and presented a research project, which measured college studentsâ level of physical activity and their perception of availability and social support.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.