CIBUS, a self report questionnaire investigating parents' thoughts and beliefs towards their own and their children's body image and eating behaviours

Aim. The prevalence of obesity and eating disorders among children and adolescents is increasing; many Authors suggested family relationship as a mediating factor in the development and maintaining of these clinical entities. Aim of this study was the validation of a new self report questionnaire, CIBUS, investigating family eating behaviours and parents' thoughts about body weight and shape of children aged 8-12 years. A preliminary descriptive analysis is provided as well. Method. 50 couple of parents with children at the age ranging from 8 to 12 years completed CIBUS at baseline (TO) and after one month about (T1). Results and discussion. CIBUS questionnaire showed an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha =0.719), as well a satisfying test-retest reliability: no item scored significantly different at T0 vs T1 and a significant correlation was present between all items at TO and after 30 days. Parents' eating behaviours are related with thoughts about weight and shape; parents with restrictive behaviour appear to be more critical towards their children's body shape and weight; parents with higher Body Mass Index (BMI) appear to be more critical towards their children eating behaviour than parents with normal BMI. Few parents are involved in regular physical activity.