Using path analysis to understand parents' perceptions of their children's weight, physical activity and eating habits in the Champlain region of Ontario

摘要: Obesity is the most common childhood disorder that has reached an epidemic proportion in developed world (1–3). Overweight or obese children are at risk for both metabolic/medical and psychological comorbidities including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diminished self-esteem, reduced well-being quality of life (4). Canadian school-age youth among (ranked 27 29 nations) (5), more than two-thirds will become adults (6–8). These sobering data underscore significant long-term health implications obesity Canada. Inactivity poor dietary practices widespread today’s youth, experts believe increasing rates reflective obesogenic social environment. Many factors contribute to development such a setting greater access sedentary leisure time activities, lower active transportation, perceived unsafe environments outdoor play pressures on schools place emphasis academic achievement expense physical education. An increased exposure poor-quality food due overabundance nutritionally unbalanced snacks, convenience fast foods (9); superfluous advertising nutrient-poor, high-sugar aimed (10); cost calorically dense, less valuable choices (11) also considered be important contributing this modern epidemic. Parents family have considerable influence over their children’s activity (PA) eating behaviours (12–16). Awareness child lifestyle habits prerequisite motivation act (17); between 60% 80% parents fail recognize child’s status as overweight and, furthermore, majority do not report concern (18–22). Thus, those less-concerned unlikely take steps provide healthier environment children. However, little known about parents’ perceptions weight, PA habits. We performed regional survey assess parental patterns The objectives present study were following: describe body weight status, behaviours; test predictive model healthy behaviours.