Background: Little is known about Hispanic parents’ perceptions of child weight and health. High rates of overweight among Hispanic children necessitates understanding of these perceptions in order to plan interventions.
Objective: To explore Hispanic parent perceptions of child weight and definitions of child health which have implications for obesity prevention efforts in WIC.
Methods: Eight focus groups with Hispanic WIC parents were conducted in three geographically disparate California communities. Focus groups were videotaped, transcribed and analyzed by seven independent raters.
Findings: There is wide variation in Hispanic parents’ perceptions of healthy weights. Many, but not all, parents think that large (weight for height above 85th percentile) children look healthier than children at lower percentiles. Overweight is perceived to be a problem when children are not active and happy. Hispanic parents may define health broadly as a balance of happiness, energy, love, self-esteem, medical attention, physical activity and nutrition.
Implications: Efforts to promote healthy weights for Hispanic children enrolled in WIC must be culturally constructed to be responsive to parent perceptions of weight and health.
Learning Objectives: To explore Hispanic parent perceptions of child weight and definitions of child health which have implications for obesity prevention efforts in WIC.
Keywords: Child Health, Obesity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.