Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2010 Sep;13(3):231-53.
doi: 10.1007/s10567-010-0073-0.

The integration of a family systems approach for understanding youth obesity, physical activity, and dietary programs

Heather Kitzman-Ulrich  1 , Dawn K Wilson, Sara M St George, Hannah Lawman, Michelle Segal, Amanda Fairchild
Affiliations
Review

The integration of a family systems approach for understanding youth obesity, physical activity, and dietary programs

Heather Kitzman-Ulrich et al. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

Rates of overweight in youth have reached epidemic proportions and are associated with adverse health outcomes. Family-based programs have been widely used to treat overweight in youth. However, few programs incorporate a theoretical framework for studying a family systems approach in relation to youth health behavior change. Therefore, this review provides a family systems theory framework for evaluating family-level variables in weight loss, physical activity, and dietary approaches in youth. Studies were reviewed and effect sizes were calculated for interventions that manipulated the family system, including components that targeted parenting styles, parenting skills, or family functioning, or which had novel approaches for including the family. Twenty-one weight loss interventions were identified, and 25 interventions related to physical activity and/or diet were identified. Overall, family-based treatment programs that incorporated training for authoritative parenting styles, parenting skills, or child management, and family functioning had positive effects on youth weight loss. Programs to improve physical activity and dietary behaviors that targeted the family system also demonstrated improvements in youth health behaviors; however, direct effects of parent-targeted programming is not clear. Both treatment and prevention programs would benefit from evaluating family functioning and parenting styles as possible mediators of intervention outcomes. Recommendations are provided to guide the development of future family-based obesity prevention and treatment programs for youth.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Family systems theory framework related to youth health behaviors
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Baranowski T, Baranowski J, Cullen KW, deMoor C, Rittenberry L, Hebert D, et al. 5 a day achievement badge for African-American boy scouts: Pilot outcome results. Preventive Medicine: An International Journal Devoted to Practice and Theory. 2002;34(3):353–363. - PubMed
    1. Baranowski T, Davis M, Resnicow K, Baranowski J, Doyle C, Lin LS, et al. Gimme 5 fruit, juice, and vegetables for fun and health: Outcome evaluation. Health Education and Behavior. 2000;27(1):96–111. - PubMed
    1. Baranowski T, Simons-Morton B, Hooks P, Henske J, Tiernan K, Dunn JK, et al. A center-based program for exercise change among black-American families. Health Education Quarterly. 1990;17(2):179–196. - PubMed
    1. Baumrind D. Effects of authoritative control on child behavior. Child Development. 1966;37(4):887–907.
    1. Beavers WR, Hampson RB. Successful families: Assessment and intervention. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company; 1990.

Publication types