Comparing Nutritional Behaviors of Mothers withOverweight and Obese Students and Normal Weight

Nutritional behavior of children depends largely on the behavior of their parents, especially their mothers. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine and compare the nutritional behaviors of mothers of overweight and obese children with those of normal weight children.

This descriptive-analytical case-control study was performed in elementary school students and their mothers in Sari, Iran 2017. Hundred and sixty five students were selected through multistage random sampling, including overweight and obese students (n=82) and normal weight students (n=83). Students' heights and weights were recorded and anthropometric indices were calculated by WHO AnthroPlus 4 software. Then, the nutritional behavior of the mothers was assessed by Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V20.

Nutritional behaviors in mothers of children with normal weight, and overweight and obese children were not significantly different (61.25±9.36 and 62.17±7.91, respectively, P=0.20). Compared to the mothers of normal-weight students, the mothers of overweight and obese students had more restrictions to control children’s weight (P=0.009) but less encouraged balance and variety of food (P=0.020). Fast-eating was more prevalent in overweight and obese students (P=0.026).

There were similar nutritional behaviors in the mothers studied, but there were some differences in feeding practices which could be among the causes of differences in students' weights.