Knowledge, attitude and practice toward atherosclerosis among parents of children with obesity aged 6–16 years in China

This study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding atherosclerosis among parents of children with obesity aged 6–16 in China. Conducted between May and July 2023, the multi-center cross-sectional survey involved 511 parents, predominantly male (63.21%), with an average age of 34.56 years. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring their KAP levels. The average scores indicated limited knowledge (7.88 out of 12), but overall positive attitudes (31.40 out of 40) and practices (31.91 out of 40) concerning atherosclerosis were observed. Multivariate linear regression revealed that higher knowledge (β = 0.395, 95% CI: 0.263–0.528, p < 0.001), positive attitudes (β = 0.627, 95% CI: 0.551–0.704, p < 0.001), child’s BMI (β = 0.009, 95% CI: 0.001–0.018, p = 0.031), and having a second child with obesity (β = 2.640, 95% CI: 0.886–4.395, p = 0.003) significantly contributed to proactive health practices. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis confirmed that parental knowledge positively influenced both attitudes (β = 1.426, p < 0.001) and practices (β = 0.337, p = 0.002), with attitudes also impacting practices (β = 0.686, p < 0.001). The findings indicate a need for public health initiatives aimed at improving knowledge and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices among these parents, highlighting the importance of educational programs and community involvement.