Perceptiveness on Childhood Obesity among Mothers of School-age Children in Selected Community Settings

Abstract Background: The major contributor to childhood mortality leading to noncommunicable diseases is the abnormal body mass index in the school age. Perceptiveness is the level of insight that the participants have on childhood obesity which is very essential to follow a healthy diet for the children. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the level of perceived perceptiveness of mothers regarding childhood obesity. Materials and Methods: The study was done quantitatively using a community-based descriptive survey. A self-structured questionnaire prepared by the investigators was used to collect the data from the participants. A total of 100 adult mothers meeting the inclusion criteria like whose children are in school age and were available at the time of data collection were selected using a convenient sampling. The study was done in a community setting. Results: Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data obtained arithmetically. On analysis, it is revealed that about 63% of mothers who participated in the study had inadequate perceptiveness on childhood obesity. The Chi-square test was used to find the association between the perceptiveness and demographic variables of the participants. It was found that perceptiveness was not associated with any of the demographic variables of the participants. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that the study participant’s perceptiveness on childhood obesity is less, which in turn leads to faulty dietary practices in their children. The study brings insight into the need for improving the awareness and perceptiveness of mothers regarding the prevention and control of childhood obesity.