Parental Concerns and Control in Feeding of 9 to 12-Year-Old Children in a Primary School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Author:
Noor Azimah M
;
Leelavathi M
;
Shamsul Azhar S
;
Hizlinda T
;
Khairani O
;
Fatimah A
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Body weight, child, food habit, nutrition, parents
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2012;18(1):47-55
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Body weight of children is affected by many factors including food habits which are influenced by their parents. Studies in the West have shown
that parents tend to control child feeding in response to their child’s weight status. The aim of this study was to assess Malaysian parental concerns about child weight and the control they exert on child feeding. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted on parents and their children aged 9 to 12 years from a primary school in Kuala Lumpur. The weight status of the children was
classified according to the body mass index-for-age growth chart. Parental concerns about child weight and control in child feeding was assessed using the adapted Malay version of Child Feeding Questionnaire. Results: A total of 204
parents participated in this study. The study found that being a female served as a protective factor against becoming overweight (OR:0.28, CI:0.13-0.62). Parents
with overweight children were significantly older (OR:1.08, CI:1.01-1.15), concerned about their child’s weight (OR:2.77, CI:1.49-5.12) and controlled their
child’s feeding by restricting food intake(OR:2.70, CI:1.30-5.60). They were less likely to pressure their children to eat (OR:0.32, CI:0.19-0.56). Parents from the
low income group were more likely to have underweight children (OR: 4.15, CI:1.28-13.47). Conclusion: There was significant difference in level of parental
concern across differing child weight status. Parents with overweight children were likely to be more concerned about their child’s weight, tending to control their feeding. In contrast, parents with underweight children did not exert control on their feeding.
- Full text:W020150714516508301451.pdf
