The influence of primary caregivers on body size and self-body image of preschool children in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate preschool children's body size and image, and analyze the impact of the primary caregiver on a child's body size and awareness in Taiwan. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 699 preschool children and their primary caregivers participated in this study. Our study used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, which was divided into parts A and part B. Part A was a questionnaire for the primary caregivers, including their demographic and anthropometric information, and expectation for children's body size. Part B was a two part questionnaire for children, including the children's expectation on their own body size and their consciousness in terms of body size evaluation by parents and teachers. Data was analyzed by chi-square analysis. RESULTS: In our study, the majority of boys and girls have a normal body size (69.0% and 64.6%, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation (p<0.05) between children and primary caregivers' body size, and a negative correlation (p<0.05) between children body size and caregivers' education level. Furthermore, we found that caregiver's satisfaction and evaluation of the children's body size had significantly affected the children's satisfaction towards their body size. CONCLUSION: Influences by the primary caregiver is an important factor that affects a preschool child's body size and body image in Taiwan. Body size evaluation by caregivers will influence the child's satisfaction level.