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Role of parental characteristics and feeding practices in childhood obesity: a cross-sectional study

Seda Önal1, Hilal Şimsek2, Aslı Uçar3

  • 1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Firat Universitesi, Elâzığ, Turkey.

BMJ Paediatrics Open
|June 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Parental characteristics like maternal BMI and feeding practices significantly influence childhood obesity risk. Addressing parental behaviors through family-centered strategies is key for effective prevention and public health policy.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant global health concern.
  • Parental factors and family feeding practices are key determinants of children's weight status.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between parental characteristics, feeding practices, and childhood obesity risk.
  • To identify specific parental factors associated with children's body mass index (BMI).
  • To explore potential non-linear associations between parental BMI and child BMI.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 446 parent-child dyads.
  • Utilized the Child Feeding Questionnaire and Family Nutrition and Physical Activity tool.
  • Employed multivariable linear regression and restricted cubic splines to analyze factors associated with child BMI.

Main Results:

  • Obesity prevalence was 18.2% in the study children.
  • Maternal BMI, perceived child weight, and concern about child weight were positively associated with child BMI.
  • Pressure to eat was negatively associated with child BMI; parental BMIs showed non-linear associations with child BMI.

Conclusions:

  • Parental characteristics, including maternal BMI and educational level, significantly impact childhood obesity.
  • Feeding practices are critical factors in the development of childhood obesity.
  • Family-centered preventive strategies targeting parental behaviors are essential for public health policy and obesity reduction.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildObesity

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