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Maternal and paternal parenting practices and their influence on children's adiposity, screen-time, diet and physical

Adam B Lloyd1, David R Lubans1, Ronald C Plotnikoff1

  • 1Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; School of Education, Faculty of Education & Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

Appetite
|April 23, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Maternal and paternal parenting styles significantly influence children's weight status and lifestyle behaviors. Both parents' involvement is crucial for effective childhood obesity interventions, with specific focuses on maternal diet/screen-time and paternal activity/weight management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Childhood adiposity is a growing public health concern.
  • Parenting practices are recognized as key modifiable factors influencing children's weight status and lifestyle behaviors.
  • Understanding differential maternal and paternal influences is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate behavioral and parental correlates of childhood adiposity.
  • To examine associations between parenting practices and children's screen-time, diet, and physical activity.
  • To identify differences in maternal and paternal parenting practices related to diet and physical activity.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 70 families and their children (mean age 8.4 years).
  • Parenting practices assessed using the Parenting Strategies for Eating and Activity Scale.
  • Children's outcomes measured via pedometry, screen-time logs, food frequency questionnaires, and BMI z-scores.

Main Results:

  • Fathers' BMI and mothers' control were linked to child weight status.
  • Fathers' reinforcement associated with child physical activity; mothers' monitoring with child screen-time.
  • Maternal limit setting/reinforcement and child screen-time predicted core food intake; mothers and fathers differed in 3/5 parenting constructs.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal and paternal parenting practices exert distinct influences on children's weight and lifestyle.
  • Both parents play a significant role and should be included in childhood obesity interventions.
  • Targeted approaches, focusing on maternal roles in diet/screen-time and paternal roles in activity/weight, may enhance intervention effectiveness.

Keywords:
ChildrenDietObesityParentingPhysical activityScreen-time

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