Understanding the day-to-day lives of obese children and their families

Authors

Lauren M. Puglisi, Ryde Hornsby Health Promotion UnitFollow
Anthony D. Okely, University of WollongongFollow
Philip Pearson, University of WollongongFollow
Wilma Vialle, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

73874

Publication Details

Puglisi, L. M., Okely, A. D., Pearson, P. & Vialle, W. (2013). Understanding the day-to-day lives of obese children and their families. Family and Community Health, 36 (1), 42-50.

Abstract

This study investigated the daily lives of obese children and their families to better understand factors influencing weight-related behaviors. A multiple case study design was implemented with 6 obese children and their families. Participant observations occurred in different settings from when the children woke until they went to bed, yielding approximately 95 hours of data per family. Lack of parenting skills and role modeling, environments encouraging poor weight-related behaviors, low self-awareness and enjoyment of sedentary activities were common themes. Child obesity involves a complex set of factors interacting to place a child at risk of developing weight problems.