DOES BODY MASS INDEXES OF OBESE CHILDREN S PARENTS AFFECT BODY PERCEPTIONS?

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the obesity status of obese children s parents and to show the relationship between perceived and actual body weight. Method: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, parents [419 263 (62,8%) female, 156 (37,2%) male] of obese child patients who applied to Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Metabolism Clinic and Health Sciences University Ankara Pediatric Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital Nutrition Unit between January and March 2015 constituted the study group (mean age 34±10.9 years). Data were collected using a questionnaire and Body Perception Scale/Figure Rating Scale ( Stunkard s scale). In addition, each individual s height and weight were measured by the researchers and their Body Mass Indexes (BMI) were calculated. Statistical analyzes were performed using the SPSS software. Results: The average BMI of the study group was 26,2±5,5, the overweight ratio was 32,7% and the obese ratio was 21,8% for the whole group, In males, there were more overweight and obese individuals than in females andthe difference was statistically significant (p= 0,011). When the values of the scale and the perceptionvalues are compared, it was seen that 27,9% marked the appropriate figure, 54,2% marked the fatter figureand 17,9% marked the thinner figure. 11,8% of those who are weak, 55,7% of those who are normalaccording to Body Mass Index who perceived themselves as slightly obese on the scale of body perception; 49.5% of those who were obese perceived themselves as mildly obese. Conclusion: In obese children, pretreatment assessment of the parents body image perception will be a helpful practice in terms of improving compliance with the treatment and changing the way the families eat at home.