Matthew D. Oettinger|Joanne Finkle|Denise Esserman|Lisa Whitehead|Thomas K. Spain|Steven R. Pattishall|Russell L. Rothman|Eliana M. Perrin
Color-Coding Improves Parental Understanding of Body Mass Index Charting
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Vanderbilt University Medical Center
h3objectiveh3 assess parental understanding body mass index bmi bmi percentiles using standard versus colorcoded charts investigate parental literacy andor numeracy quantitative skills affects understanding h3methodsh3 convenience sample 163 parents children aged 2 8 years 2 academic pediatric centers completed demographics questionnaire mathematics portion wide range achievement test wrat3r short test functional health literacy adults stofhla understanding bmi questionnaire included parallel bmi charting questions compare understanding standard versus colorcoded bmi charting outcomes included parentalreported versus actual understanding bmi odds obtained generalized estimating equations answering parallel questions correctly using standard versus colorcoded charting odds answering questions correctly basis numeracy literacy h3resultsh3 many parents 60 reported knowing bmi 30 could define even roughly correctly parents used colorcoded charts greater odds answering parallel bmi charting questions correctly used standard charts mean 88 vs 65 correct pooled adjusted odds ratio 432 95 confidence interval 314595 ipi 01 additionally parents lower numeracy k5 level benefited colorcoded charts increased 51 81 correct higher numeracy parents high school level greater performed well charts 89 vs 99 correct h3conclusionsh3 parents consistently performed better colorcoded standard bmi charts colorcoding particularly helpful lower numeracy parents future studies investigate whether results translate office setting whether understanding motivates parents implement important lifestyle changes