Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran,
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran.
Obes Facts. 2019;12(6):669-677. doi: 10.1159/000492795. Epub 2019 Dec 16.
In the recent decades, a dramatic increase in childhood obesity is one of the main public health problems. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of Iranian mothers towards childhood obesity.
This cross-sectional descriptive research was conducted on KAP of 432 mothers and their children aged 6-7 years (214 boys and 218 girls) who were referred to the Zarandieh health centers, Iran, in 2017. The participants were selected via multistage random sampling. Demographic and KAP data were obtained by self-report using standard questionnaires. The weight and height of the subjects were measured according to standard methods and body mass index was calculated. Data were analyzed by inferential statistics using SPSS18 software.
The prevalence of obesity (OB) was 11.5% in boys and 7% in girls. The mean score for attitude for mothers with normal-weight children was higher than for mothers with obese children. Food habits like consumption of breakfast, having fast food at least twice a week, and eating in front of TV were associated with OB. Physical activity habits like duration of TV watching/computer games/sleep and regular physical exercise were associated with OB.
This study identified the importance of educating Iranian mothers to change of lifestyle (eating and physical activity habits) and attitudes towards weight control in their children. Therefore, it seems that these results may be valuable in the development of educational programs and strategies for the prevention of childhood obesity.
近几十年来，儿童肥胖症的急剧增加是主要的公共卫生问题之一。本研究旨在评估伊朗母亲对儿童肥胖的知识、态度和实践（KAP）。
本横断面描述性研究于 2017 年对 432 名母亲及其 6-7 岁的儿童（214 名男孩和 218 名女孩）的 KAP 进行了评估，这些儿童被转诊到伊朗扎兰迪赫健康中心。参与者通过多级随机抽样选择。使用标准问卷通过自我报告获得人口统计学和 KAP 数据。根据标准方法测量受试者的体重和身高，并计算体重指数。使用 SPSS18 软件通过推断统计进行数据分析。
男孩肥胖（OB）的患病率为 11.5%，女孩为 7%。体重正常儿童母亲的态度平均得分高于肥胖儿童母亲。饮食习惯，如吃早餐、每周至少吃两次快餐和在电视机前吃饭，与 OB 有关。体育活动习惯，如看电视/玩电脑游戏/睡觉的时间和定期体育锻炼，与 OB 有关。
本研究确定了对伊朗母亲进行教育的重要性，以改变生活方式（饮食和体育活动习惯）和对儿童体重控制的态度。因此，这些结果在制定预防儿童肥胖的教育计划和战略方面似乎具有价值。
