Document Type

Article

Language

Eng

Publication Date

8-1-2012

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Western Journal of Nursing Research

Source ISSN

0193-9459

Abstract

Pediatric obesity is multifactorial and difficult to treat. Parenting and feeding behaviors have been shown to influence a child’s weight status. Most prior studies have focused on preschool-aged White children. Additional complicating factors include parents’ inability to accurately identify their child’s abnormal weight status. Parenting and feeding behaviors used by 176 African American and White parents of school-age children were examined. Assessment included (a) identifying what behaviors were reported when parent expressed concern with child’s weight and (b) the relationship of these behaviors on child’s body mass index percentile (BMI%), considering ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and parent’s body mass index (BMI). Findings included African American parents and parents concerned about their child’s weight exhibited increased controlling/authoritarian parenting and feeding behaviors. Parents were able to accurately identify their child’s weight status. Parenting and feeding behaviors played a significant role in the children’s BMI% even when controlling for ethnicity, SES, and parent’s BMI.

Comments

Accepted version. Western Journal of Nursing Research, Vol. 34, No. 5 (August 1, 2012): 677-696. DOI. © 2012 SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

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