LAUSR

Background Evidence currently reveals a troubling rate of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabian children. Families, particularly parents, play a crucial role in shaping their children’s lifestyles, and their perceptions of their children’s body weight significantly influence them. This study aims to examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, while also evaluating the children’s lifestyle characteristics and how parents perceive their children’s body weight. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered in two stages: first, parents completed an online questionnaire to evaluate various characteristics linked to their children’s body mass index profiles, including the reported body weights. Second, children’s height and weight were measured in school using a height chart and a weight scale. Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression were employed to analyze the factors affecting parents’ perceptions of their children’s body weight. Results The study included 324 participants, with student ages ranging from 12 to 16 years. The observed prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in the sample were 19.45% and 17%, respectively. However, when asked about their children’s body weight, only 13.65% of parents considered their children to be overweight, and just 4% viewed them as obese. This indicates a misunderstanding among parents regarding their children's weight status. Additionally, having a family history of obesity significantly increased the likelihood of misjudging body weight (odds ratio: 1.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.7, P=0.04). Conclusions Many parents with a family history of obesity commonly underestimate their children’s body weight. The rising incidence of obesity within certain families may contribute to a normalization of excess weight in their children, leading to a perception of this as healthy. This highlights the need for targeted preventive measures, particularly for families with a history of obesity.