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The prediction of preschool children's weight from family environment factors: gender-linked differences

Line Tremblay1, Christina M Rinaldi

  • 1Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada. ltremblay@laurentian.ca

Eating Behaviors
|September 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Family food insecurity and mealtime conflicts impact boys

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
  • Understanding factors influencing healthy weight development in early childhood is crucial.
  • Family environment plays a significant role in shaping children's health behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test an explanatory model predicting preschool children's body weight.
  • To examine child variables (food intake, sedentary behaviors, eating habits) and family variables (mealtime interaction, financial resources).
  • To analyze gender-specific predictors of body weight and healthy eating in 4-year-olds.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a subsample from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD-1998-2002).
  • Employed structural equation modeling (SEM) separately for 581 girls and 611 boys.
  • Collected data on children's anthropometrics (skin fold ratio, weight, height, BMI) and parental questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • The model showed a good fit for both genders.
  • For boys, family food insecurity and mealtime conflicts predicted body weight.
  • For girls, food insecurity predicted less healthy eating; no variables predicted body weight.

Conclusions:

  • Family food insecurity and mealtime conflicts are significant factors for boys' body weight and healthy eating.
  • Interventions targeting family environment are important for promoting healthy weight in young children.
  • Gender differences exist in the predictors of body weight and eating habits in early childhood.

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