This study was performed to investigate the correlation between mother's characteristics and obesity index, percentage of body fat, total cholesterol, and serum leptin levels in obese children.

Sixty two students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades were selected from two elementary schools located in the suburbs of Seoul. Mother's characteristics were collected by questionnaires. Biophysical indexes were as follows; obesity indexes were calculated by height and weight, percentages of body fat were measured by a bioelectrical impedence fatness analyzer, total cholesterol levels were measured by a Hitachi automatic analyzer, and serum leptin levels were measured by the immunoradiometric assay method.

The degree of mother's concern for their children's obesity showed a statistically significant positive correlation with biophysical indexes such as obesity index and serum leptin level in obese children. However, there were no significant correlations between mother's economic state, education level, occupation and biophysical indexes. Also, there were no significant correlations between mother's concern for their children's obesity and percentage of body fat, and serum cholesterol levels.

These results indicate that mother's concern for their children's obesity is one of the most important factors in child obesity.