Parental Feeding Behavior: Influences on Elementary Children Health Georgia Southern University 2014 Research Symposium Cydni Martin and Jennifer Paquin, Health Education and Promotion [B.S.H.S.] Helen Bland, PhD Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Georgia Southern University Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrition and physical activity of children. The hypothesis was that parental feeding styles will influence the healthy eating habits and physical activity among children. Childhood obesity has been called one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century (World Health Organization, n.d). In the past 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). The research design used was a quantitative, descriptive, non- experimental, self-reported study in which a 27-question survey measured the parents’ child feeding behavior (n=53). Participants with elementary-aged children. Descriptive and inferential statistics reported means and significant differences. Data analysis indicated that 98.1% of the parent’s would always encourage their child to eat a wide variety of food. This study found a statistically significant difference in parental education level (p= 0.030) ranging from High School Graduate to Master’s Degree. Recommendations include health education on positive parental guidance on eating habits and physical activity. Background Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrition and physical activity of children. Sub-Purposes: To examine how child dietary needs affects the parental influence on nutrition and exercise on their child. To analyze if the child’s BMI and exercise level affects the parental influence on nutrition and exercise on their child. To determine if the relationship affects the parental influences on nutrition and exercise on their child. To explore how the parental demographics of education levels, BMI and exercise level affects the parental influence on nutrition and exercise of their child. Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health: Methods The research method for the study was quantitative, descriptive, non- experimental, one-shot study (n=53).Target population was parents of elementary-aged children. Data collection was conducted at the local after school program and various elementary schools. Sampling methodology conducted in this research was non-random, quota and sample of convenience. Internal Validity was established for the instrument (Wardle, Sanderson, Guthrie, Rapoport, & Plomon, 2002). Internal Consistency Reliability was determined by Cronbach Alpha of Results Conclusion/Recommendations The research conducted in rural Southeast Georgia showed that the parent’s education level impacted the child significantly (p=0.030). A parent with some college education had the highest parental control. No statistical differences were found among relationship, dietary needs, parent BMI, child BMI, child exercise, and parent exercise (p>0.05). Two-thirds of respondents recorded that they ‘never’ give their child something to eat when they are bored or feeling worried, while 5.7% reported ‘sometimes.’ When participants were asked the following statement, “I insist my child eats meals at the table,” 49% reported always while 7.5% reported ‘rarely.’ Health education professionals should be a major force in educating the general population about the various parental influences on a child’s physical activity and nutrition. A detailed family history is a good start when looking at a child’s health; the parental influences such as knowledge and attitude are other major players. Parents should learn their parental feeding style to adjust for a positive healthy influence on their child; to pass the healthy behaviors like nutrition and physical activity onto their child. Instrument Participants In the United States, childhood obesity affects about 12.5 millions children and teens (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2001). According to the NHANES survey, 16 percent of children age 6-19 years are overweight (U.S Department of Health & Human Services). Beyond the shared genetic predisposition, children’s behaviors are influenced by parental knowledge, attitudes, and modeling (Lioret et al, 2012). Approximately 80 percent of obese 10 to 14 year-olds with an obese parent will be obese as adults (University of Rochester Medical Center [URMC], n.d.). Children and adolescents should engage in at least 60 minutes or more of physical activity a day (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). Daily recommended calories for females and males ages 4-8 range from kcals per day and ages 9-13, kcals/day (American Heart Association, 2013).