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Parents often underestimate the weight of their children – but family doctors too.
Mothers and fathers also prefer using terms such as "big bones", "thick" or "solid" rather than describing their obese or overweight child.
The new study found that more than half of parents (54%) underestimated whether their child was overweight or obese.
At the same time, 34% of children and teens also underestimated when they were fat, while doctors also tend to think that children are lighter than they do not. were.
According to the study, parents of younger children were less likely to think that their child was overweight and to judge boys' weight less than girls.
The researchers also found that less educated parents and those who were overweight themselves tended not to consider their child as being overweight.
The experts, who presented their findings at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Glasgow, reviewed existing data from 87 studies from around the world between 2000 and 2018.
Among them, 24,774 children aged 19 and under and their parents.
Abrar Alshahrani, of the University of Nottingham, who led the study, said: "Despite attempts to increase public awareness of the problem of obesity, our results indicate that underestimation of High weight status in the child is very common.
"This misperception is important because the first step for a health professional in family support is the mutual recognition of higher weight status.
"This is especially important for the child himself, his parents and the health professionals who care for him.
"Our study also revealed a tendency for health professionals to underestimate their weight, suggesting that overweight children may not receive the support they need to maintain their health."
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, President of the Royal College of GPs, said: "Nobody wants to consider himself or his child overweight or unhealthy, but the raw truth is that obese children or obese people face many both physical and mental – in the coming years, if their weight is not addressed. "
Australian Associated Press
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