| Childhood obesity has increased over the past several decades, and is becoming a national epidemic. Young children are now dealing with health problems that typically have been associated with adults. These health problems result in increased medical costs and decreased life expectancies. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to better understand the motivations and needs of mothers who have diagnosed overweight or obese children, aged 4. The research questions addressed specific experiences of the parents, parental perceptions as the reasons and possible solutions for their child's weight problem, the creation of a home environment contributing to their child's weight problem, knowledge of the harmful effects of increased weight in young children, and determining if Head Start staff had discussed the weight issue with the parents and offered recommendations. Data were gathered through interviews of 8 mothers. Analysis included identifying common themes among participants. The identified themes included time constraints to cook healthy meals and engage in physical activity, consumption of fast food meals, lack of safe areas and sidewalks, cost of healthy foods, television viewing, and lack of knowledge about the importance of nutrition and physical activity. The results indicated that parents may not comprehend the severity of their child's diagnosis due to lack of knowledge but are interested in finding ways to create a healthier environment in their household for the entire family. Elimination of childhood obesity is the goal, which will lead to decreased obesity-related diseases and hospital costs, as well as healthier and more productive children and adults resulting in positive social change. |
