Parental Perceptions of Childhood Obesity Rates Among Hispanic and Black Children in New Jersey.

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in the United States, affecting children of all ethnic backgrounds, with disproportionate impacts on African American and Hispanic children. While many studies attribute these disparities to cultural factors, there is limited research examining how environmental conditions may also shape parental perceptions and childhood obesity rates. This study hypothesizes that parental perceptions of obesity may be influenced more by socio-economic environments than by cultural differences. Using data from the New Jersey Childhood Obesity Study (2009-2010), we compare childhood obesity rates and parental perceptions of weight status among Hispanic American and African American populations in three economically comparable cities: Camden, Trenton, and New Brunswick. By comparing children's actual weight status with their parents' perceptions, we explore whether differences in obesity rates and perceptions exist between these two cultural groups. Our findings show no significant differences between Hispanic and African American families across the three cities, supporting the hypothesis that obesity rates and parental misperceptions are more strongly influenced by shared environmental factors than by cultural or racial backgrounds.