Factors associated with the perception of parents and children regarding obesity-related terminology used by healthcare professionals in a sample of Korean children and adolescents with obesity. Issue 5 (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woo, Sarah; Song, Hong Ji; Kim, YoonMyung; Lim, Hyunjung; Park, Kyung Hee
• Is Part Of: Obesity research & clinical practice. Volume 16:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 421
• Page End: 428
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Pediatric obesity -- Obesity-related terminology -- Body size -- Externalized problem -- Internalized problem; Obesity -- Research -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; Obésité -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Obésité -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Obesity -- Research; Obesity -- Treatment; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2022.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1871-403X

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to compare how children with overweight or obesity and their parents perceive the obesity-related terms used by healthcare professionals and investigate the factors associated with these perceptions. Methods: Children and adolescents aged 8–16 years with overweight or obesity (n = 192) and their parents participated in the cross-sectional study by responding to a 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire on 10 obesity-related terms, including "chubby, " "weight problem, " "weight, " "overweight, " "BMI, " "obese, " "heavy, " "fleshy, " "fat, " and "severely obese." Results: For both children and parents, "chubby" was the most desirable term (mean ± standard deviation: 3.50 ± 1.12 and 2.95 ± 0.83, respectively), and "severely obese" was the least acceptable term (2.83 ± 1.17 and 2.02 ± 1.02, respectively). Although the parents preferred all the terms less than the children did ( p < 0.001), "weight problem" was considered most motivating for a child to lose weight (3.93 ± 0.94). Among children, older age and a larger self-perceived body size were associated with a more positive response towards obesity-related terms, whereas having internalized or externalized problems were negatively associated with these terms. Parents with a history of cardiovascular disease considered "severely obese" (β = −0.419, [95% CI: −0.739, −0.099]) and "fat" (β = −0.457, [95% CI: −0.750, −0.164]) less desirable. Conclusions: Children and adolescents had a higher preference for obesity-related terms than their parents and preferred that healthcare professionals use euphemistic terms such as "chubby, " or neutral terms such as "weight problem." Children with larger self-perceived body sizes or older age had a higher preference for obesity-related words. The terms used by healthcare professionals to describe excess weight must be motivating and respectful for all family members participating in the treatment. Highlights: Korean parents have a lower preference for obesity-related terms than children. "Weight problem" is considered as both desirable and motivating in parents. "Chubby" is most preferred by both parents and children. Younger age is associated with lower preference for obesity-related terms in youth. Self-perception of body size is related to preference for obesity-related terms.