Parents' Perceptions of Childhood Obesity and the Role of Schools

Abstract

This survey assessed parents' perceptions regarding childhood obesity and the schools' role in dealing with the problem. A sample of 498 parents was obtained from two midwest cities; 375 (75 percent) completed the questionnaire. Eighty-seven percent believed normal weight is very important to child health. Only 28 percent believed schools were not doing enough to alleviate childhood obesity; more parents (38 percent) opposed the idea of schools as places for treatment of obesity than were in support of the idea (18 percent). The parents were most supportive of physical education classes that teach lifelong fitness (85 percent), followed by health classes in all schools that include topics on food and weight control (71 percent) and doing away with all “junk food” machines (65 percent). Perceptions of parents toward childhood obesity did not vary regardless of whether the parent or their child was obese. However, beliefs did differ between parents who perceived themselves as overweight or obese, and those who perceived themselves as thin, underweight, or average.