Using path analysis to understand parents' perceptions of their children's weight, physical activity and eating habits in the Champlain region of Ontario.

Introduction: Parents have a fundamental role in promoting the healthy weight of their children.

Objectives: To determine parental perceptions of their child's body weight, eating and physical activity (PA) behaviours, and to test a predictive model of parental perceptions regarding their child's PA and healthy eating behaviours.

Methods: A random-digit telephone survey was conducted among parents of children four to 12 years of age living in the Champlain region of Ontario.