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Learning Objective #1: identify 3 components of a focus group research design

Learning Objective #2: compare and contrast rural caucasian and urban African American parents' attitudes about obesity prevention.

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Title: Parent Attitudes and Beliefs about Childhood Obesity Prevention
Background: Child overweight affects 17% of American children. The consequences are costly to society, and socially devastating to the child. The health effects are serious; 60% of overweight children have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and 25% have two or more. Research overwhelmingly demonstrates that the parents, guardians, or primary caregivers have a profound influence on a child’s weight status. Two factors account for the influence; heredity and child rearing. Child rearing practices involve the food purchase, preparation, and feeding of children as well as the provision of opportunities for physical activity and sedentary behavior. Little research is known about the beliefs of parents regarding their children’s weight status and child rearing practices. The purpose of this presentation is to describe preliminary results of a qualitative study that strives to understand parents’ attitudes and beliefs about family factors related obesity prevention.
Methods: The research setting includes two elementary school sites in Pennsylvania; an urban setting with a mostly African American population and a rural farming community, which is primarily Caucasian. A purposive sampling method is used to recruit 48 overweight parents, 50% from the urban setting, 40% African American, and 10% Hispanic. Parents are recruited through a letter sent home with the children in the participating elementary schools. A focus group interview design is employed. Before the focus group, participants have their height and weight measured and complete food frequency, physical activity, and family assessment questionnaires.
Results: The results are pending and will be available for the presentation.