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Published on: July 29, 2020
Parenting styles, family structure and adolescent dietary behaviour
Natalie Pearson1, Andrew J Atkin, Stuart J H Biddle
1School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. N.Pearson@lboro.ac.uk
Public Health Nutrition
|December 4, 2009
Summary
Authoritative parenting is linked to healthier adolescent diets, including more fruit and breakfast, and fewer unhealthy snacks. These positive effects on eating habits remain consistent across different family structures.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Nutritional Science
- Family Studies
Background:
- Parenting styles and family structure are crucial factors influencing adolescent health behaviors.
- Understanding these influences is vital for developing effective health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between parenting styles, family structure, and adolescent dietary habits.
- To determine if parenting style's impact on diet varies across different family structures.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 328 adolescents aged 12-16 years in the UK.
- Dietary intake (fruit, vegetables, snacks, breakfast) was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).
- Parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, neglectful) and family structure were self-reported.
Main Results:
- Authoritative parenting was associated with higher fruit and breakfast consumption and lower unhealthy snack intake.
- Family structure significantly impacted breakfast consumption, with adolescents in dual-parent families and those without brothers eating breakfast more often.
- No significant interactions were found between parenting style and family structure for most dietary behaviors.
Conclusions:
- The positive influence of an authoritative parenting style on adolescent diet is independent of family structure.
- Future research should focus on food-specific strategies and the effectiveness of promoting authoritative parenting attributes across diverse family settings.
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