[Overweight and obesity in preschool children (0-4 years): behaviour and views of parents].

Objective: Description of unhealthy behaviour and views regarding nutrition, physical exercise and education in families with young children, in relation to specific groups with a high risk of overweight.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Method: In wellbaby clinics for infants and toddlers in various sites in The Netherlands 534 parents were requested to fill in questionnaires on nutrition, physical exercise and education. Enquiry into background characteristics took place and several hypotheses were tested. Using a bivariate and multivariate analysis each hypothesis was examined with regard to linkage of the answers to specific high-risk groups.

Results: 73% (390 parents) responded. Overweight was found in 15% of the 2-4-year-olds, this included 3.7% with obesity. Relatively often, parents held views and showed behaviour characteristic of an unhealthy lifestyle for young children. For example, approximately 1 out of 7 families was not used to having breakfast. 43% of the respondents considered sweetened milk products approprite substitutes for milk and 39% of the children always had soft drinks at their disposal. One fifth of the parents indicated that they did not have enough time to go out with their child. Approximately 1 out of 10 toddlers aged 2-4 years had a TV in their own room; 22% were allowed to determine whether they wanted to watch TV or not and 9% were allowed to decide how long they watched. Such specific high-risk behaviour was seen in particular in families with non-western mothers, mothers with a low level of education or mothers living on social security. Regular use of child care or a nursery seemed to have some protective effect.

Conclusion: In families with children aged 0-4 years, behaviour patterns related to overweight at a later age were frequently observed. In view of the increased incidence of overweight and obesity in young children, initiation of research aimed at optimisation of education is warranted, which should include special attention for the behaviour of parents with regard to 5 spearheads: breast-feeding, more outside play and more physical exercise, a regular wholesome breakfast, less consumption of sweetened drinks and less TV and computer use. Implementation of interventions in young age groups is able to prevent the development of unhealthy lifestyle and childrearing styles.