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Review
. 2016 Jun;5(2):192-200.
doi: 10.1007/s13679-016-0208-9.

Parent-Child Interaction, Self-Regulation, and Obesity Prevention in Early Childhood

Sarah E Anderson  1 , Sarah A Keim  2
Affiliations
Review

Parent-Child Interaction, Self-Regulation, and Obesity Prevention in Early Childhood

Sarah E Anderson et al. Curr Obes Rep. 2016 Jun.

Abstract

This paper describes the epidemiologic evidence linking parent-child relationships, self-regulation, and weight status with a focus on early childhood. The emotional quality of parent-child interactions may influence children's risk for obesity through multiple pathways. Prospective studies linking observer ratings of young children's self-regulation, particularly inhibitory control, to future weight status are discussed. Although findings are preliminary, promoting positive relationships between parents/caregivers and young children holds promise as a component of efforts to prevent childhood obesity. Multi-disciplinary collaborations between researchers with training in developmental science and child health should be encouraged.

Keywords: Early childhood; Epidemiology; Obesity; Parenting; Self-regulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

Conflict of Interest

Sarah E. Anderson and Sarah A. Keim declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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