Objective: To identify the factors determining the underestimation of the actual weight of the children by the father and mother of preschooler users of Children’s homes (CH) of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute located in the municipality of Floridablanca, Colombia.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in a random sample of 186 preschool children aged 3-6 years from 7 Floridablanca’s CH. Researchers interviewed parents and measured the weight and height of children, parents, and caregivers. The analysis was conducted by way of single and multiple binomial regression models.
Results: Underestimating the weight of the children was 44.6%, 46.3%, 45% and 44.2% for the mother, father, grandparents, and uncles, respectively. The underestimation was associated with the child’ sex (mother: 1.59 95% CI 1.11-2.29 RP; father: PR2.00 95% CI 1.1-3.6), education (PR 1.42 95 1.05-1.92%), occupation (PR 1.05 95% CI 1.05-1.05) and obesity’s history in the mother (PR 1.51 95% CI 1.10-2.08) and the current weight of the father (PR 2.31 95% CI 1.1 to 5.0). Conclusions: A high proportion of families of children do not perceive overweight and obesity. Issues such as the child’s sex, occupation, and education of the mother and obesity in both parents must be considered when we will educate parents on the recognition of obesity as a public health problem.
Keywords: Perceptions; social determinants of health; body mass index; preschool; body weight.