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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 May;36(4):451-60.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsq105. Epub 2010 Nov 26.

Associations between parent behavior and adolescent weight control

Amy F Sato  1 , Elissa Jelalian, Chantelle N Hart, Elizabeth E Lloyd-Richardson, Robyn S Mehlenbeck, Meghan Neill, Rena R Wing
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Associations between parent behavior and adolescent weight control

Amy F Sato et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2011 May.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate associations between parent behaviors (i.e., parent weight change, self-monitoring of their behavior, and feeding practices and attitudes) and changes in adolescent BMI and weight following 16-weeks of behavioral weight control (BWC) intervention.

Method: Adolescents (N = 86) 13-16 years old and 30-90% overweight (M = 60.54%, SD = 15.10%) who completed BWC intervention and their parents. Adolescents were randomized to 1 of 2 interventions involving 16 consecutive weeks of active treatment with 4 biweekly maintenance sessions. Adolescent weight and BMI were measured at baseline and 16-weeks. Feeding practices were measured at baseline. Parent self-monitoring was measured during the intervention.

Results: The only independently significant predictor of adolescent BMI change (p < .01) was parent BMI change. Greater parent self-monitoring (p < .01) predicted greater adolescent weight loss. Greater parent pressure to eat predicted less adolescent weight loss (p < .01).

Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential importance of parent weight-related behaviors and feeding practices in the context of adolescent BWC.

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