RISK FACTORS FOR OBESITY INCIDENTS AS SEEN FROM PARENTING PATTERNS AND PARENTAL CHARACTERISTICS IN PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN IN MANGGARUPI KINDERGARTEN, GOWA DISTRICT IN 2025: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background: One of the provinces in Indonesia, namely South Sulawesi, shows that children who are overweight (9.3%) and obesity (6.2%). The impact of obesity on children can lead to health and social problems in both the short and long term. This study aims to identify risk factors for obesity in preschool-aged children. Objective: To analyze the risk factors for obesity incidents in terms of parenting patterns and parental characteristics in pre-school aged children. Method: This study used a case-control design involving mothers with preschool-aged children. Data were collected from June to July 2025 through anthropometric measurements and interviews using a questionnaire. Data analysis used univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis using the Stata application. Results: Overall, it shows that children with mothers with poor parenting patterns are at 3.01 times risk of experiencing obesity (OR=3.01; 95% CI 1.05-9.05); mothers with less knowledge have a 3.18 times risk of experiencing obesity (OR=3.18; 95% CI 1.11-9.57); mothers with low education have a 1.26 times risk of experiencing obesity (OR=1.26; 95 CI 0.35-4.07); working mothers have a 2.72 times risk of having obese children (OR=2.72; 95% CI 0.94-7.70); families with high socioeconomic status have a 0.44 times lower risk of having obese children (OR=0.44; 95% CI 0.15-1.22). Conclusion: The most influential risk factor was maternal occupation, after controlling for age and child gender. Based on these results, it is hoped that health service program outreach efforts will be improved, particularly within the community and schools, to increase knowledge and awareness, and promote healthier lifestyles.