Parents’ Perception on Childhood Obesity and its Prevention; a Population-Based Observational Study in Jazan, Saudi Arabia with Intention to Develop Self Instructional Module

Globally, Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges in the 21st century. In 2017, the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity (ECHO) reported that worldwide obesity increased 10-fold among children and adolescents during the last 40 years. According to World Health Organization (WHO) & Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) data, childhood obesity rates are highest in the Southern European Countries in the World. Childhood obesity is one of the most important public concerns due to increased incidence with a high morbidity rate. This study was intended to identify the parent's attitude on causes and its prevention of childhood obesity in Jazan province. With the Stratified Random sampling method, 100 obese children's parents were selected. Initially, personal information was obtained about a child and mother, and then "Google Form" 5-point Likert's scale was administered to assess parents' attitude on obesity and its prevention. It has four domains (General information on obesity - 2 questions, causes of obesity - 14, consequences of obesity - 4, and prevention of obesity - 10) with 30 questions. The results of the study are expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean percentage). The parent’s attitude score was expressed in terms of obesity 5.86 ± 1.27 (58.6%), causes 38.75 ± 6.52 (55.36%), consequences 11.65 ± 2.36 (58.25%) and prevention 29 ± 5.15 (58%). The overall mean score and standard deviation were 86.67 ± 13.81 (54.84%). The parents had an average attitude score (64.57%) on the causes and prevention of childhood obesity. There was no association between attitude scores with the demographic variables, except the variable age associated with attitude scores. Obesity prevention requires effective intervention measures. The research study proposed that family education and impulse are essential for treating childhood obesity. Schools play a significant role in promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity.