Hispanic Parent Preferences for Approaching the Weight of Their 8-12-Year-Old Child: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE

Characterize parents' views and preferences for managing their child's weight.

DESIGN

Semistructured interviews with Hispanic primary caregivers whose health care provider told them their 8-12-year-old child's weight was above the recommended weight for their age.

SETTING

Virtual interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

The community sample of participants (n = 16) were primarily mothers (81%), immigrants (94%), and aged 37 ± 6 years. Participants were from Mexico (56%), Ecuador (19%), Colombia (13%), El Salvador (6%), and the US (6%).

PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Parent perceptions of and preferences for weight management and weight-inclusive paradigms.

ANALYSIS: Inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 3 themes. First, parents consider context to decide how to address their child's weight. Second, parents view weight management as a personal responsibility that is made challenging by environmental barriers. Third, parents follow guidance from sources they feel are reliable and relatable.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Parent perspectives aligned with aspects of both weight management and weight-inclusive paradigms. In practice, these themes indicate parents are likely to want clear, specific guidance on weight that is sensitive to personal factors (e.g., child developmental stage, culture), structural barriers (e.g., time, access, affordability), and that clarifies expectations about potential outcomes from pursuing either approach.