Parent and Family Associations With Weight-Related Behaviors and Cognitions Among Overweight Adolescents

Cromley, Taya; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Story, Mary; Boutelle, Kerri N.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.02.009

« Previous Next »Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 47, Issue 3 , Pages 263-269, September 2010

Parent and Family Associations With Weight-Related Behaviors and Cognitions Among Overweight Adolescents

Taya Cromley, Ph.D.
- Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mary Story, Ph.D., R.D.
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Kerri N. Boutelle, Ph.D.
- Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
- Address correspondence to: Kerri N. Boutelle, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, 8950 Villa La Jolla Dr., Suite C-207, San Diego, CA 92037.

Received 8 July 2009; accepted 8 February 2010. published online 14 April 2010.

Abstract

Purpose

To examine parent and family variables in relation to adolescent weight-control and eating behaviors, body satisfaction, and importance of thinness among overweight adolescents.

Methods

This study examined parent-reported use of weight-control behaviors (i.e., healthy and unhealthy behaviors, behavioral changes, other diet strategies), parent psychosocial functioning (i.e., depression, self-esteem, body satisfaction, importance of thinness), and family functioning (i.e., cohesion and adaptability) in relation to adolescent weight-control and eating behaviors, body satisfaction, and importance of thinness. Surveys were completed by 103 overweight (body mass index, ≥85th percentile) adolescents (aged 12–20 yr), and their parents. Height and weight were also measured. Linear regression equations were used for continuous outcomes and logistic regression equations for dichotomous outcomes.

Results

Adolescent report of lower body satisfaction and engagement in more “severe” or less healthy forms of weight-control behavior were associated with parent weight-control behaviors. Adolescent report of overeating was associated with lower scores of family cohesion and adaptability. Adolescent report of lower body satisfaction was positively associated with parent report of body satisfaction and self-esteem. Adolescent report of greater importance placed on thinness was associated with parent report of lower self-esteem.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that several parent and family variables are associated with weight-control behaviors, episodes of overeating, and body satisfaction and importance of thinness among overweight adolescents. Parent weight-control behaviors and adolescent cognitions about body image may be important variables to target within intervention research and treatment programs for overweight youth.

Keywords: Weight-control behavior, Overweight, Body satisfaction, Family functioning, Adolescents