 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Lisa K. Thomason and Marilyn M. Gardner, PhD. Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 719 Shawnee Way #1, Bowling Green, KY 42104, 270-796-3767, lisa.thomason@wku.edu
It is estimated that the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children in Kentucky is at or above the national average and is continuing to grow. In one study, the number of children enrolled in the Kentucky Women, Infants, and Children program who were above the 95th percentile of weight for height had increased 19% over the past five years. In some instances, estimates of obesity and overweight have reached 33%. Research suggests that physicians and parents often use differing standards when assessing pediatric obesity and overweight. Further, attitudes toward the long-term health consequences and the severity of those consequences vary between parents, physicians, and educators. Studies also demonstrate the influential role of educators and school systems in the early development of weight management habits. However, little research has been done to compare parents,’ physicians,’ and educators’ perceptions of obesity and barriers to weight management. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in attitudes toward pediatric obesity and weight management among parents, educators, and health care providers. Surveys are being distributed to a convenience sample of parents and to the total population of family practitioners, pediatricians, and educators within the 10-county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) of south central Kentucky. Data will be analyzed descriptively and inferentially.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Obesity, Weight Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.