Maternal Perception of Childhood Obesity and Its Health Risks Among Urban Mothers in Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Childhood obesity is an emerging public health concern in Nigeria's urban centres, driven by dietary transitions and reduced physical activity. However, parental misperception of child weight status may delay prevention and intervention efforts. This cross-sectional descriptive study assesses maternal perception of childhood obesity and awareness of its associated health risks among urban mothers attending paediatric clinics in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, North Central Nigeria. A total of 290 mothers were recruited from three paediatric outpatient clinics using convenience sampling. Anthropometric measurements of children aged 2 to 12 years were used to objectively classify nutritional status. Mothers were asked to categorise their child's weight using visual body image scales and structured questions on health risk knowledge. Results showed that 28.3% of children were objectively classified as overweight or obese based on BMI-for-age z-scores. However, 62.4% of mothers of overweight or obese children classified their child as having a normal or healthy weight. Only 31.7% of all respondents associated childhood obesity with non-communicable disease risk. Positive perception of overweight in children was linked to cultural beliefs equating large body size with good health and prosperity. The findings highlight a significant perceptual gap requiring culturally sensitive health education targeting urban Nigerian mothers regarding the long-term consequences of childhood obesity. Keywords: childhood obesity, maternal perception, Abuja, urban Nigeria, North Central Nigeria.