Nurturing Movement: Longitudinal Associations Between Caregiver Type, Adolescent Diet, and Young Adult Physical...

Childhood obesity rates remain high in the United States, with long-term implications for physical and mental health. Emerging research suggests that caregiving arrangements, particularly those involving non-parental caregivers such as grandparents, may influence adolescent health behaviors, including diet and physical activity. This study examined whether caregiver type (parents-only, grandparents-only, or multi-generational households) during adolescence predicted dietary patterns and physical activity trajectories into young adulthood.

Data were drawn from 6260 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Caregiver type was identified at baseline (Wave 1), and dietary intake and physical activity were assessed across four waves from adolescence (~age 15) to early adulthood (~age 29). We employed generalized linear models and linear mixed-effects models with multiply imputed data to examine changes in sedentary behavior, individual exercise, and team sport participation over time, controlling for age, sex, and race.

Overall dietary intake at baseline did not significantly differ by caregiver type (Wilks' Λ = 0.998, p = 0.389); however, an exploratory comparison indicated lower dairy consumption in homes with a grandparent present (t(6258) = 1.995, p = 0.046). Trajectories of individual exercise differed significantly by caregiver type over time (Time × Caregiver interaction: F(6, 10,395.601) = 2.795, p = 0.010), with adolescents in grandparent-only households reporting higher individual exercise at Wave 1. Sedentary behavior trajectories also significantly differed by caregiver group over time (Wave × Caregiver interaction: F(6, 18,951.310) = 23.026, p < 0.001). Baseline nutrition was positively associated with individual exercise trajectories into young adulthood (Time × Nutrition interaction: F(2.961, 13,096.103) = 3.974, p = 0.012).

Caregiver structure during adolescence appears to shape long-term physical activity patterns, albeit modestly. These findings highlight the need to consider diverse family configurations-particularly grandparent-led households-when designing public health interventions to promote adolescent nutrition and physical activity.