Prevalence of childhood obesity, its associated risk factors and parental misperception of their child’s actual weight among Saudi children in Yanbu city, Saudi Arabia 2021: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim of Study: To determine prevalence of childhood obesity among attendants of primary health care centers, its associated risk factors, and to identify parental misperceptions regarding their children’s actual weight. Methods: Following a cross-sectional study design, at primary health care centers (PHCC) in Yanbu Albahr City, Saudi Arabia, the study sample included 80 parents of Saudi healthy -school children aged 6 to 12 years. The study questionnaire included sociodemographic data of children and their parents, anthropometric data of children, the 1st section of the Arabic version of Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ), the child’s lifestyle behavior assessment and parent’s perception regarding their child’s weight. Results: Prevalence of overweight among children was 5%, while 13.8% were obese. Fast foods, sweets and soft drinks were commonly consumed by children, while 36.3% did not practice any sports. Children’s BMI grades did not differ significantly according to their or their parents’ sociodemographic factors, or their dietary habits, but differed according to their parents’ educational level (p=0.038), with highest prevalence of obesity among less educated parents. Only 7.5% of parents perceived their children as overweight, while 1.3% perceived their children as obese. Parents’ perception regarding their children’s weight did not differ according to how they judge their weight, the way they weigh their weight or their source of information about their children’s weight. Most parents (56.3%) incorrectly perceived their children’s weight. Conclusions: Prevalence of obesity among primary school children in Yanbu Albahr City is high. Unhealthy dietary habits, and physical inactivity are common among Saudi children. Most parents misperceive their children’s actual body weight. Children’s BMI grades differ significantly according to their parents’ educational level, with highest prevalence of obesity among less educated parents. Key Words: Childhood obesity, risk factors, dietary habits, physical activity, parents’ perception about children’s weight, Saudi Arabia.