Self‐regulation linking the quality of early parent–child relationship to adolescents' obesity risk and food consumption
Authors' conclusion
The findings highlight how the nature of parent-child relationships impacts developing regulatory processes in children which, in turn, have implications for obesity-related behaviours and outcomes. Interventions to reduce childhood obesity should consider self-regulation skills across multiple domains, and early parenting practices that foster these capacities.
Study context
- Population
- Children followed from infancy to adolescence in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development
- Participants
- 1,237 children
- Primary endpoint
- Adolescent obesity risk (BMI z-scores) and mediation by self-regulation and (un)healthful food consumption
Methodological detailslongitudinal, structural equation modelling, two theory-driven models, Relationship quality: child attachment security and observed maternal sensitivity (15, 24, 36 months), Self-regulation: behavioural and computerized tasks at 54 months; parental ratings of self-control at 11-12 and 15 years, Food consumption self-reported at age 11-12; BMI z-scores from height and weight in early/middle childhood and adolescence
- Longitudinal
- Structural equation modelling
- Two theory-driven models
- Relationship quality: child attachment security and observed maternal sensitivity (15, 24, 36 months)
- Self-regulation: behavioural and computerized tasks at 54 months; parental ratings of self-control at 11-12 and 15 years
- Food consumption self-reported at age 11-12; BMI z-scores from height and weight in early/middle childhood and adolescence
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Association of early parent–child relationship quality with adolescent obesity risk
- No direct associations between quality of parent–child relationship and adolescent obesity risk in either model
- Child self-regulation mediated the associations between quality of parent–child relationship and both unhealthy food consumption and higher adolescent BMI status
Original publication
Self‐regulation linking the quality of early parent–child relationship to adolescents' obesity risk and food consumption. Pediatr Obes. Published 7 December 2022. doi:10.
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