Decoding Adolescents' and Parents' Perspectives of Overeating: A Qualitative Study

Adolescence is a high-risk period for problematic eating behaviours, including overeating. However, few studies have explored adolescent perceptions of these eating behaviours and whether there is a shared understanding between adolescents and parents. This study aimed to investigate perceptions of eating behaviours, focusing on overeating, in Australian adolescents and parents.

Adolescents aged 13-19 years, and parents of adolescents, participated in two interviews for exploration and thematic deepening of participant perceptions, underpinned by Integrated Knowledge Translation Framework principles. Interviews explored perceptions of overeating and other eating behaviours, including help-seeking and stigma. Data were analysed thematically.

Twelve adolescents (59% female) and seven parents (100% female) participated in the interviews, with three major themes emerging. In theme 1, "perceptions of overeating", interpretations of overeating varied; however, both adolescents and parents associated problematic overeating with increased frequency and impacts on functioning. Discrepancies between adolescent and parent perceptions of overeating terms such as binge eating were present. In theme 2, "beliefs about overeating", adolescents felt that broaching the topic of overeating and help-seeking for overeating to be more challenging than restrictive eating disorders due to stigma. In theme 3, "perceptions of other eating behaviours", there were differences between how adolescents perceived healthy eating and dieting compared to parents.

Differences in adolescent and parent understanding of eating behaviour terminology highlights a need for a shared language to support appropriate detection of problematic eating behaviours. There is a need for prevention and early intervention approaches that promote awareness and accessible support pathways for overeating to prevent progression to an eating disorder.