THE IMPACT OF A HIT INTERVENTION ON HISPANIC PARENTAL PERCEPTION OF PRESCHOOLER WEIGHT
Rationale/Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschoolers has increased significantly over recent decades, with some of the highest rates in Hispanic preschoolers. Weight related health problems and cardiovascular risk factors often present during early childhood making early identification and interventions essential for prevention of future health problems in this population. Parental perceptions regarding their child’s weight status are key in obesity prevention; research examining Hispanic parental perceptions in preschoolers has found parents frequently underestimate excess weight in their children. Previous research is limited and has not examined whether it is possible to influence parental perceptions. Health Information Technology (HIT) is an innovative approach to providing parents with personalized tailored education about their preschooler’s weight status. This pilot study was undertaken to examine the impact of a HIT tool on Hispanic parental perception of their preschooler’s weight status.
Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test, post-test design was used to examine the impact of a bilingual HIT tool, HeartSmartKidsTM, on Hispanic parental perception of preschooler weight status. HSK™ was adapted to ascertain parental perception of preschooler’s weight status and was used to implement the tailored educational intervention in the study. The intervention included discussing the child’s actual weight status with the parent’s perceived weight status of their child based on parental response to the three perception (word, linear and circular silhouette) presentations.
Results: Pre-intervention, about half of parents underestimated their child’s weight status. Parents of overweight/obese children were more likely to have inaccurate perceptions of their child’s actual weight, regardless of assessment presentation (word (p = .0001), linear silhouette (p = .0001), circular (p = .0001)). Accuracy of parental perception did not differ between circular and linear silhouette presentation. Modest improvements in accuracy were seen post intervention on all three measures, with statistically significant findings on word perception presentation (p = 0.039). Parental BMI was associated with perception accuracy (word, p = .009; linear silhouette, p = .022), suggesting parents with normal BMIs are less able to see excess weight in their preschoolers.
Implications: Findings from this study suggest individualized educational interventions using HIT may be a viable means by which to impact parental perceptions. This research highlights HIT as a promising tool for influencing parental perceptions through tailored educational interventions. Assessment of the accuracy of parental perceptions, coupled with a deeper understanding of those perceptions will inform clinicians and researchers regarding recognition, prevention, and treatment of preschooler overweight. HIT offers a unique, customizable, and contemporary approach (and opportunity) to better understand and influence parental perceptions to ultimately address pediatric obesity.