'Children eat all things here': a qualitative study of mothers' perceptions and cultural beliefs about underweight and overweight children and adolescents in selected communities in two Nigerian states.

Gaps and misconceptions exist in the perceptions of mothers on underweight and overweight children and adolescents. Food taboos, food restrictions and other cultural beliefs were not reported by majority of the mothers. Educational programmes for mothers on child/adolescent nutrition should target identified gaps and misconceptions.