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Parental factors associated with obesity in children with disability: a systematic review
J McGillivray1, K McVilly, H Skouteris
1School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. jane.mcgillivray@deakin.edu.au
Insights
Parenting and family factors influence childhood obesity. This review explores these risks for children with disabilities, finding links to socioeconomic status and parental factors, though more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Developmental Disabilities
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern.
- Parenting and family context are known determinants of obesity in typically developing children.
- The role of these factors in children with disabilities is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review parental and parenting risk factors associated with obesity in children and adolescents with disabilities.
- To identify gaps in the current literature regarding these associations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review across multiple databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, etc.).
- Inclusion of empirical papers examining parental/parenting risk factors and obesity in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- No date restrictions were applied.
Main Results:
- Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria.
- Potential associations identified include socioeconomic status, parents' BMI, parental perceptions of child's weight/activity, and activity levels of parents and children.
- Findings were mixed, and methodological limitations were noted.
Conclusions:
- Obesity in children with disabilities may be linked to socioeconomic status and parental factors.
- Firm conclusions are limited by mixed findings and study limitations.
- Further high-quality research is recommended to clarify these associations.
Abstract:
The current literature on obesity in typically developing children shows that the family context, and specifically the way parents parent their children are major determinants of childhood obesity. The influence of these factors on obesity in children with disability, however, remains unclear. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify the parental and parenting risk factors associated with obesity in children and adolescents with disability. Articles were identified through Medline, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, ProQuest, ISI, CINAHL, Cochrane and Scopus databases. There was no restriction on publication dates. The inclusion criteria were empirical papers that tested associations between parental and parenting risk factors and obesity in children and adolescents with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Only 11 studies met the selection criteria and subsequently included in this review. Results suggest that obesity in children and adolescents with disability may be associated with socioeconomic status; parents' body mass index, perception and attitude towards their children's weight and physical activity; and levels of activity in both parents and children. Firm conclusions about these associations cannot be reached, however, due to mixed findings and methodological limitations of the studies. Recommendations for future research are provided.
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