Oral Presentation Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting

A systematic review of associations between parent-child relationship quality and obesity risk in adolescence (#112)

Heidi J Bergmeier 1 , Claire Blewitt 1 , Helen Skouteris 1
  1. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

Introduction

Studies suggest parenting and the home environment can shape early eating patterns that track into adolescence and influence weight status1-4. Childhood obesity research has traditionally focused on the influence of parent-level factors on children’s eating and weight status. However, studies are increasingly emphasizing the role of the bi-directional nature of the parent-child relationship and its influence on health behavior5,6. Hence, the aim of this systematic review was to investigate what the literature reveals about the association between parent-child relationship quality and obesogenic risk (weight status, eating attitudes and behaviours, and sedentary behaviour) in adolescence.

Method

We systematically searched English-language articles published between January, 2005 and March, 2015. Peer-reviewed studies that included measures of parent-child relationship quality at any age and obesogenic risk (weight, eating attitudes and behaviours or sedentary behaviour) in adolescence (10-19 years7) were included in the review.

Results

Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate parent-child relationship quality is associated with a range of eating attitudes and behaviours in adolescence, including dieting, binge eating and poor food choices, known to increase the risk of weight gain. Attachment, parental care and connectedness appeared to protect against disordered eating attitudes and behaviours, while overprotection and conflict was related to poorer eating outcomes. Family functioning and cohesion was particularly related to healthy food choices. Of the 13 papers that included BMI as an outcome measure, six reported significant findings.

Conclusion

The findings of this review suggest parent-child relationship quality plays a role in adolescent weight and eating. Future research should implement consistent and thorough measures of obesogenic risk and relationship quality, with particular focus on the influence of the parent-child relationship from infancy to adolescence.

  1. Bergmeier, H., Skouteris, H., Horwood, S., Hooley, M., & Richardson, B. (2014). Associations between child temperament, maternal feeding practices and child body mass index during the preschool years: a systematic review of the literature. Obesity Reviews, 15(1), 9-18.
  2. Davis, R.N., et al., Adolescent obesity and maternal and paternal sensitivity and monitoring. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2011. 6(2-2): p. e457-e463.
  3. Skouteris, H., McCabe, M., Ricciardelli, L. A., Milgrom, J., Baur, L. A., Aksan, N., & Dell-Aquila, D. (2012). Parent–child interactions and obesity prevention : a systematic review of the literature. Early Child Development and Care 182 ( 2), 153- 174.
  4. Parletta, N., et al., Parenting styles, communication and child/adolescent diets and weight status: Let's talk about it. Early Child Development and Care, 2012. 182(8): p. 1089-1103.
  5. Collins, W. A., Maccoby, E. E., Steinberg, L., Hetherington, E. M., & Bornstein, M. H. (2000). Contemporary Research on Parenting: The Case for Nature and Nurture. The American Psychologist, (2), 218.
  6. Rhee, K.E., et al., Maternal feeding practices become more controlling after and not before excessive rates of weight gain. Obesity, 2009. 17(9): p. 1724-9.
  7. World Health Organization. (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/obesity/WHO_TRS_894/en/.