Maternal Underestimation of Child's Weight Status and Health Behaviors as Risk Factors for Overweight in Children 1

•Underestimation of weight status was common among overweight and normal-weight children.•Misperception of weight status and television viewing time were associated with children's risk of being overweight.•There is need to promote parental awareness of the actual weight status of their children.•There is a need to emphasize the relevance of health behaviors to prevent childhood obesity.

ObjectivesTo evaluate children's risk of being overweight associated with maternal underestimation of weight status and health behaviors.ResultsOne hundred forty mother–child dyads were included. Children whose weight status was underestimated by their mothers were at greater risks of being overweight compared to those whose weigh status was correctly perceived (adjusted OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.11–4.81). Less television viewing time was associated with a 63% reduced risk of being overweight (adjusted OR .37, 95% CI .17–.83).ConclusionsMaternal underestimation of weight status was common among overweight and normal-weight children, and it was associated with an increased children's risk of being overweight.