IJMST 2018 Volume 8 Issue 1
International Journal of Medical Sciences and Technology (IJMST) ISSN:0974-5343
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Maternal Perception of Body Weight of Children Attending Child Welfare Clinics in Secondary Hospitals in Ibadan Municipal, NIGERIA. ADEBAYO Adedamola A., ADEDIRAN Kofoworola I. IJMST (2018), 8(1):1-10
Title:
Maternal Perception of Body Weight of Children Attending Child Welfare Clinics in Secondary Hospitals in Ibadan Municipal, NIGERIA
Authors & Affiliation:
ADEBAYO Adedamola A., ADEDIRAN Kofoworola I.
Institute of Child Health, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA
adewalededamola@gmail.com, kiadediran@com.ui.edu.ng, rolaadediran@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Perception of the child’s weight by mothers can determine feeding practices and if inaccurate, could be a potential risk factor for weight problems This study was designed to examine maternal perception of child’s weight and factors associated with such perception. A cross-sectional survey was used and 359 mother-child pairs were selected from child welfare clinics in Ibadan municipality. Mothers were asked what they thought about the weight of their children. The actual weight of children was measured and converted to z-scores using WHO Anthro 2011. Children were classified as normal (z-score: -2.0-2.0), underweight (z-score: <-2.0) and overweight/obese (z-score: >2.0). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at p=0.05. The mean age of mothers was 31.6±5.0years, most (54.3%) had tertiary education and majority (86.4%) were gainfully employed. The mean age of children was 18.0±9.3months and more than half (55.2%) were males. Of 359 mothers, 161(44.9%) perceived their children to be underweight, 188 (52.4%) normal weight and 10(2.8%) overweight. 66.0% misperceived their children’s’ weight status; the overall percentages of misperception of the child’s weight were 76.3% in underweight children, 61.7% in normal weight children but only 9.13% in overweight/obese children. Factors such as children’s age, number of children, and self-perception of weight influenced mothers’ perception of child’s weight. A large proportion of mothers did not correctly perceive the weight of their children. Strategies to increase mothers’ awareness of their children’s weight could be the first key step in preventing childhood weight problems.
Keywords: Maternal perception, Body Weight, Verbal Weight Description