Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

27.6K

Predicting BMI in Young Children with Developmental Delay and Externalizing Problems: Links with Caregiver Depressive

Brynna H Heflin1, Jonathan S Comer1, Daniel M Bagner1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University.

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|September 15, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Caregiver depression increases child obesity risk, especially in highly acculturated parents of young children with developmental delays. Cultural factors like acculturation significantly influence this association.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Cultural Psychiatry

Background:

  • Caregiver depression is a known risk factor for childhood obesity.
  • Previous research has not adequately explored cultural influences on this relationship.
  • This study focuses on young children with developmental delay and behavioral issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the link between caregiver depressive symptoms and child BMI in young children with developmental delay and externalizing behaviors.
  • To investigate the moderating effects of acculturation and enculturation on this association.

Main Methods:

  • Examined 147 three-year-old children with developmental delay and externalizing behaviors.
  • Caregivers were from cultural minority backgrounds.
  • Analyzed the association between caregiver depression and child BMI, considering acculturation and enculturation levels.

Main Results:

  • Higher caregiver depressive symptoms correlated with higher child BMI (b = .189, p = .001).
  • Acculturation significantly moderated this association, with a stronger link observed in highly acculturated caregivers (b = .21, p = .01).
  • Enculturation did not show a significant moderating effect.

Conclusions:

  • Caregiver depression poses an elevated risk for child obesity, particularly in highly acculturated individuals.
  • Clinicians should consider acculturation levels when providing services to culturally diverse families.
  • Optimizing interventions requires understanding the interplay of caregiver mental health and cultural adaptation.
Abstract

Keywords:
culturedepressiondevelopmental perspectivesobesity

More Related Videos

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable09:24

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable

Published on: May 17, 2024

1.9K
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

13.3K

Related Concept Videos

Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
307
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
325
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
531
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects01:29

Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects

Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
177
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.  
18.7K
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
599