Mother's attitudes toward obesity among school children in Babylon

Abstract

Background: Obesity has been declared by the (WHO) as a major public health problem and global epidemic, in general a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or greater is considered obese, and according to the WHO too more than 1.5 billion adults are overweight, parents and mothers play a great role in choosing and preparing food.

Objectives: The aim of the current study is to identify the attitude of mothers toward obesity among schoolchildren.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Al- Kawthar primary health center in Babylon between the 1^st of April to the 1^st of October to identify the attitude of mothers toward obesity among school children. A convenient random sample size of (50) mothers was selected to accomplish the study.

Results: Total number of the mothers was 50 majority were aged between 25-28 years old, mothers who are not working represent (82%), to achieve the aim of the study and for the identification of the attitude of the mothers the researchers determine the sample scores within the positive and the negative attitude by using lekert scale of five levels and according to that it was found that sample has negative attitude t- test tabulated value represented (1.22) at p (0.05). the most important results was that negative attitudes affect obesity like it is considered as a beauty sign or conducting such a selection and cooking mistakes or dealing with some practices like consuming unhealthy food. Study recommended the importance of using of the educational aids to change their attitudes and practices about food preparation and selection especially with the school children because of the risk and also MOH must conduct this subject as a National health program and include that in the parents- school meetings.

Conclusion: The study concluded that there were poor levels in knowledge and attitude of mothers toward obesity among children school.

Recommendation: The present study recommended that Ministry Of Health must develop programs to follow up any children gaining abnormal weight as, this health problem must be included in the meeting of the school and parents give more information to mothers about the same issue to enforce or change their attitudes.