Factors Related to Obesity in Mexican‐American Preschool Children

For participation in this study, 31 Mexican‐American children between the ages of 3 and 5 years and their mothers were recruited. Feeding practices and values related to body perception were assessed. Mothers of obese children preferredfat babies and were themselves more overweight than were the mothers of nonobese children. The differences were statistically significant. The study has implications for nursing practice in the identification of children at increased risk for obesity related to maternal, environmental and cultural factors.