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An exploratory study of 2 parenting styles and family health behaviors
Emma M Sterrett1, Joel Williams, Kirsten Thompson
1Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
Objective:
To examine the relationships between 2 parenting styles and family nutrition and physical activity.
Methods:
Parents of elementary/primary school children in the southeastern United States (N = 145) completed surveys regarding family relationships and health behaviors.
Results:
Parents exhibiting a laissez-faire parenting style reported lower levels of family nutrition and physical activity. In addition, parent BMI moderated the relationship between laissez-faire parenting and these health behaviors.
Conclusions:
This study indicates that family-oriented nutrition and physical activity programs may benefit from including a focus on decreasing laissez-faire parenting, as well as helping overweight parents reduce their BMIs.
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