Hispanic parents' perceptions of their preschool children's weight status.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of Hispanic parents' perceptions of their preschool children's weight status.

DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design with Hispanic parent-child dyads (n = 83) from a Head Start setting was used to compare parents' perceptions of their children's weight status with their 2- to 5-year-old children's body mass index (BMI) and weight categories. Methods included a word choice from five response options, and varying body size silhouettes presented in a linear fashion and a random circular pattern. Parents' perceptions were compared with the children's BMI, and in relationship to parents' demographic characteristics and BMI.

RESULTS: Approximately half of parents underestimated their child's weight status, and overweight/obese parents tended to underestimate their overweight/obese children's weight status.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Eliciting parent perception of their child's weight is one way providers can engage in obesity prevention dialogue.