Abstract

Objectives: 1) To assess the reliability of the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ), 2) To describe maternal child feeding practices (MCFP) and 3) To associate the MCFP with the child#x2019;s body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP). Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study. Participants: 786 pairs (mother and preschooler / schooler child). The mothers answered the CFQ, which consists of 31 items, distributed among seven factors. The mother#x2019;s and child#x2019;s weight and height were measured, and the child#x2019;s BFP. Descriptive statistics and Spearman#x2019;s correlation coefficient were applied. Results: The CFQ obtained a 0.75 Cronbach#x2019;s alpha coefficient, 283 children (36.01%) were overweight or obese, BFP mean was 25.90 (SD = 9.92) for boys and 27.20 (SD = 8.79) for girls. Related to MCFP, the perceived responsibility factor obtained the highest score (Mean = 84.35, SD = 16.99), while the lowest scores were for perceived child weight (Mean = 50.06, SD = 8.38) and concern about child weight (Mean = 44.69, SD = 29.34). The factor, perceived child weight was associated with the child#x2019;s BMI (rs = 564, p = .001) and BFP (rs = 535, p = .001). Conclusions: The internal consistency of the CFQ was acceptable. The mothers considered themselves responsible for their child#x2019;s feeding, although the child#x2019;s weight didn#x2019;t represent a concern. Interventions are recommended to help the mother accurately perceive their child#x2019;s weight.