Norma Olvera, PhD, Health and Human Performance Department, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Room 112, Houston, TX 77204-6015, (713)743-9848, nolvera@uh.edu, Rick Suminski, Phd, Health promotion and Physical Activity Behavior, The Ohio State University, 250 Larkins Hall, College of Education, columbus, OH 43210, and Thomas Power, PhD, Psychology Department, Washington State University, P.O.Box 646236, Pullman, WA 99164.

OBJECTIVE: To better understanding risk factors associated with the development of obesity in Latino children, we assessed the perceptions of maternal and children’s body size and attractiveness and BMI in low-income Mexican-American families. METHODS: Eighty mothers and their six-twelve- year olds (41 boys, 39 girls) participated. Maternal and child’s perceptions of body size (actual and ideal) and attractiveness were assessed through a pictorial instrument. Mother and child height and weight, demographic, and acculturation characteristics were also assessed. RESULTS: 79% of the mothers were overweight and 32% of the boys and 34% of the girls were at risk for overweight. BMI influenced children’s selection of body size figure as an ideal. At risk for overweight children were more likely to select thinner figures as the ideal body size than normal weight children. Gender and acculturation differences concerning child’s perceptions of body size and attractiveness were found. Girls perceived the obese figure as being less attractive than did the boys. More acculturated children were more likely to select thinner figures as attractive than were their less acculturated counterparts. Mothers viewed their daughters’ actual body size and BMI as ideal regardless of their obesity status. Mothers selected heavier ideal body sizes for their boys than their sons. Maternal acculturation was associated positively with the girls’ but not with boys’, choice of thinner figures as an ideal body size. DISCUSSION: Findings from this study provide empirical data about familial and cultural influences on children’s weight and perceptions of actual and ideal body sizes.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)assess perceptions of maternal and children's body size and attractiveness in Mexican American families.
• 2)assess BMI in Mexican American families
• 3)assess the role of acculturation in body size preference and attractiveness in Mexican American mother-child dyads.

Keywords: Child Health, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.