Saudi Fathers' Perceptions of Obesity, Feeding Practices, and Promoting Healthy Eating in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Background
Family
involvement
is
crucial
in
mitigating
childhood
obesity.
Nonetheless,
research
on
fathers'
perceptions
regarding
weight
issues
remains
limited,
particularly
within
non-Western
cultures.
Objectives
This
study
aimed
to
(1)
examine
attitudes,
perceptions,
and
practices
related
child
feeding
obesity
risk;
(2)
assess
their
self-efficacy
promoting
healthy
eating;
(3)
explore
the
relationship
between
these
factors
among
fathers
of
school-age
children
Saudi
Arabia.
Methods
A
cross-sectional
design
was
used,
with
data
collected
from
179
(ages
6–12
years)
via
online
survey.
Instruments
included
Child
Feeding
Questionnaire
(CFQ)
General
Self-Efficacy
Scale
(GSE).
Data
were
analyzed
using
Spearman’s
correlations
descriptive
statistics.
Results
Self-efficacy
negatively
correlated
responsibility
(rho
=
–
0.29,
p
<
0.01),
pressure
eat
0.18,
0.05),
monitoring
0.25,
p
indicating
that
lower
confidence
linked
greater
parental
control.
Positive
found
perceived
parent
overweight
0.34,
0.01)
0.23,
0.01).
Conclusions
Healthcare
professionals
should
father-centered
interventions
promote
eating
without
instilling
weight-related
anxiety.
Culturally
tailored
strategies
targeting
paternal
could
enhance
prevention
efforts
region.
Research Square (Research Square), Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown
Опубликована: Апрель 11, 2025
Язык: Английский