Parental knowledge and attitudes about the impact of childhood obesity on perioperative outcomes.

Abstract

Introduction: Addressing childhood obesity remains a significant public health concern due to the lack of effective intervention programs and policies. While efforts are ongoing to evaluate perioperative complications related to childhood obesity, there has been limited exploration of parents' and caregivers' knowledge and attitudes toward the perioperative risks associated with their children's obesity. This prospective survey evaluated parents' beliefs and practices related to childhood obesity and determined if these influenced their knowledge of obesity-related perioperative complications.

Methods: We performed a prospective survey of parents of children aged 2-17 years scheduled for elective operations at a US quaternary academic medical center. The survey instrument was pretested. The frequency of obesity-related perceptions, beliefs, and practices were assessed, stratified by child weight status. Group comparisons were made with appropriate statistical tests.

Results: The study included 129 parents, of whom 87 (67.4%) were married, and 102 (79.1%) were women. Most parents, regardless of perceived child weight, agreed that child overweight/obesity can cause serious illness (95%) and that they should be concerned (90%). Notably, 40% of parents failed to recognize obesity in their own children. About 40% of parents were unsure about the impact of childhood obesity on postoperative pain control, and 29% were uncertain about its effect on anesthesia risks. Additionally, 20% of parents were uncertain about the potential for serious surgical complications related to obesity, and 5% believed that being overweight or obese does not lead to significant surgical risks.

Conclusions: While awareness of child overweight/obesity as a modifiable health risk is high, many parents failed to recognize it in their own children and were unaware of its potential contribution to anesthesia-related complications. Additional efforts to help parents understand their role in facilitating behavior change and to assist them in identifying at-risk children as well as the perioperative implications of childhood obesity are required.