Parental and offspring factors in offspring's weight-loss efforts

Although weight-loss efforts in non-overweight adolescents and young adults are quite common, the relation between parental and offspring factors related to this behavior remains unclear. This study assessed the parental and offspring factors related to offspring's weight-loss efforts according to offspring's weight status.

Data pertaining to weight-loss efforts and weight status for 1026 families, including 1449 offspring (703 male and 749 female offspring, aged 10-25 years) and 1026 pairs of parents, were derived from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2013. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine factors associated with offspring's weight-loss efforts after adjusting for intra-familial correlations.

Weight-loss efforts in adolescents and young adults increased with offspring factors, such as female sex [OR (95 % CI), 2.64 (2.02-3.46)], overweight status [9.54 (6.66-13.67)], weight overestimation [2.96 (2.08-4.20)], and maternal weight-loss efforts [1.37 (1.05-1.79)], while weight-loss efforts decreased with offspring's weight underestimation [0.27 (0.19-0.37)], after adjusting for similar parental factors and intra-familial correlations. In non-overweight adolescents and young adults, weight-loss efforts were associated with maternal weight-loss efforts [1.52 (1.11-2.08)] and offspring sex [female vs. male; 2.93 (2.14-4.01)], as well as offspring's weight underestimation [vs. accurate estimation; 0.15 (0.08-0.28)] or overestimation [vs. accurate estimation; 3.05 (2.13-4.38)]. In overweight adolescents and young adults, weight-loss efforts were associated with offspring's weight underestimation [0.45 (0.28-0.71)].

Weight-loss efforts in adolescents and young adult offspring are associated with maternal weight-loss efforts, offspring's weight perception, and sex in non-overweight offspring, and offspring's weight perception in overweight offspring.