Weighing Words: Exploring Parent-Adolescent Communication about Physical Activity, Weight, and Emotional Responses in...

Adolescent perspectives on conversations with their parents about weight and health behaviors are sorely lacking in weight-conversation research, particularly among those with an existing health condition. Addressing this gap among diverse adolescents is critical to inform health promotion efforts and reduce health disparities. The aim of the current research was to explore the experiences of weight- and health conversations with parents among adolescents with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) and asthma.

Secondary data were analyzed from a qualitative study of adolescents with OW/OB and asthma. Individual semi-structured interviews involved 20 adolescents ages 13-18 (Mage = 16.01; 55% male) and their primary caregiver (90% mothers).

Parent-adolescent conversations about physical activity involved encouraging it and discussing its implications and importance. In weight-conversations, parents and adolescents discussed overall health, weight loss, and feelings about weight. Adolescents reported these conversations had a range of impacts on their emotions: some felt positive, some felt negative, while others felt indifferent.

Results emphasize the existing nuances in communication about weight and health behaviors among adolescents with OW/OB and asthma. Findings will be used to inform efforts to educate parents, improve measurement of weight-conversations in research, and develop inclusive health promotion programming.