Maternal Perceptions of Self-Weight and Child Weight May Influence Milk Choice of Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Table 3

Actual and perceived weight status and milk intake.

	Reported milk intake % ()
	Whole	Reduced fat	Other
Mother’s actual weight
Normal weight	44.2% (46)	51% (53)	4.8% (5)	^a
Overweight/obese	30.3% (129)	66.7% (284)	3.1% (13)
Mother’s perceived weight
Thin	25.8% (8)	74.2% (23)	0%	^b
Normal	40.8% (89)	56% (122)	3.2% (7)
Overweight	28% (78)	68.1% (190)	3.9% (11)
Child’s actual weight
Normal weight	41.7% (123)	54.9% (162)	3.4% (10)	^c
Obese	28.2% (73)	68.7% (178)	3.1% (8)
Child’s perceived weight
Thin	41.3% (26)	52.4% (33)	6.3% (4)	^d
Normal	36.9% (158)	60.5% (259)	2.6% (11)
Overweight	19.4% (12)	75.8% (47)	4.8% (3)

Mother’s weight based on BMI. BMI < 18.5, thin; BMI between 18.5 and 24.99, normal; BMI ≥ 25, overweight; BMI ≥30, obese. Child’s weight based on CDC BMI for age growth charts. Normal weight is 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile. Obese is equal to or above the 95^th percentile. Other milks included soy, rice, and chocolate. Due to low frequency, these were grouped together. ^aBy using the χ² test for percentages comparing maternal weight using CHIRP data. ^bBy using the χ² test for percentages comparing mothers’ perception of self-weight using CHIRP data. ^cBy using the χ² test for percentages comparing normal and overweight children using CHIRP data. ^dBy using the χ² test for percentages comparing maternal perception of child’s weight using CHIRP data.