Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 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

27.2K

Attachment, Feeding Practices, Family Routines and Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Sarah Clément1, Susana Tereno1

  • 1Département de Psychologie, Université de Rouen Normandie, CRFDP UR 7475, F-76000 Rouen, France.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|April 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Parental relationships and feeding habits significantly impact childhood obesity risk. Attachment quality and family routines, mediated by self-regulation, are key factors in preventing and treating pediatric obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant global public health concern.
  • Understanding familial and relational factors is crucial for effective prevention and intervention strategies.
  • Existing research highlights the complex interplay between family dynamics and child weight status.

Approach:

  • Systematic literature review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
  • Analysis of ten papers, including seven empirical studies and three etiological reviews on childhood obesity.
  • Assessment of caregiver-child attachment, parental feeding practices, family routines, and their mediation by self-regulatory capacities.

Key Points:

  • Child and caregiver attachment quality, controlling/permissive feeding practices, and limited family routines are associated with childhood obesity risk.
  • Appetite dysregulation and emotional regulation strategies significantly mediate the relationship between familial factors and child obesity.
  • These associations are observed across different developmental periods: 0-2, 2-8, and 8-18 years.

Conclusions:

  • Family relational factors, particularly attachment and feeding practices, play a critical role in childhood obesity development.
  • Self-regulatory capacities are key mediators linking these factors to obesity.
  • Further research is needed to explore additional facets of childhood obesity and refine prevention/treatment approaches.

Keywords:
adult attachmentchild attachmentchild obesitydevelopmental periodsfamily routinesfeeding practicesself-regulation

More Related Videos

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

4.6K
Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents09:10

Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents

Published on: November 1, 2019

10.8K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
556
Attachment01:20

Attachment

Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that...
98
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
293
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
150
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships. 
43.5K
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
240