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Background <p>Family involvement is crucial in mitigating childhood obesity. Nonetheless, research on fathers’ perceptions regarding childhood weight issues remains limited, particularly within non-Western cultures.</p> Objectives <p>This study aimed to (1) examine fathers’ attitudes, perceptions, and practices related to child feeding and obesity risk; (2) assess their self-efficacy in promoting healthy eating; and (3) explore the relationship between these factors among fathers of school-age children in Saudi Arabia.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional design was used, with data collected from 179 Saudi fathers of school-age children (ages 6–12 years) via online survey. Instruments included the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlations and descriptive statistics.</p> Results <p>Self-efficacy was negatively correlated with feeding responsibility (<i>rho</i> =– 0.29, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), pressure to eat (<i>rho</i> =– 0.18, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), and monitoring (<i>rho</i> =– 0.25, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), indicating that lower confidence was linked to greater parental control. Positive correlations were found with perceived parent overweight (<i>rho</i> = 0.34, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) and perceived child overweight (<i>rho</i> = 0.23, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01).</p> Conclusions <p>Healthcare professionals should design father-centered interventions that promote healthy eating without instilling weight-related anxiety. Culturally tailored strategies targeting paternal self-efficacy could enhance childhood obesity prevention efforts in the region.</p>

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Saudi fathers’ perceptions of obesity, feeding practices, and promoting healthy eating in children: a cross-sectional study

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年5月19日

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  • Sadeg Aldolaim,
  • Hebah Almulla,
  • Latifa Aldossary,
  • Bushra Bawazier,
  • Ibtihal Almomin,
  • Rawan Alghamdi,
  • Ahlam Mohammad Hussein

摘要

Background

Family involvement is crucial in mitigating childhood obesity. Nonetheless, research on fathers’ perceptions regarding childhood weight issues remains limited, particularly within non-Western cultures.

Objectives

This study aimed to (1) examine fathers’ attitudes, perceptions, and practices related to child feeding and obesity risk; (2) assess their self-efficacy in promoting healthy eating; and (3) explore the relationship between these factors among fathers of school-age children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used, with data collected from 179 Saudi fathers of school-age children (ages 6–12 years) via online survey. Instruments included the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlations and descriptive statistics.

Results

Self-efficacy was negatively correlated with feeding responsibility (rho =– 0.29, p < 0.01), pressure to eat (rho =– 0.18, p < 0.05), and monitoring (rho =– 0.25, p < 0.01), indicating that lower confidence was linked to greater parental control. Positive correlations were found with perceived parent overweight (rho = 0.34, p < 0.01) and perceived child overweight (rho = 0.23, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals should design father-centered interventions that promote healthy eating without instilling weight-related anxiety. Culturally tailored strategies targeting paternal self-efficacy could enhance childhood obesity prevention efforts in the region.