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The Role of Parenting in Mitigating Epigenetic Cardiometabolic Risk in a Sample of Predominantly Latino Preschoolers

Adamari López1, Sarah M Merrill2, Anne K Bozack3

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.

Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|August 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Positive parenting interventions may lower epigenetic markers for childhood obesity, even before physical changes occur. This suggests family-centered approaches can promote early metabolic health in at-risk children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Epigenetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation (DNAm) are implicated in metabolic risk.
  • Protective family factors in relation to childhood obesity and epigenetics are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if a positive parenting intervention is associated with reduced epigenetic cardiometabolic risk in preschoolers.
  • To explore the link between parenting interventions and DNA methylation-derived BMI.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial involving 74 preschool-aged children (35 intervention, 39 control).
  • Assessment of DNA methylation-derived BMI and anthropometric BMI at baseline and 12-month follow-up.
  • Observation of parenting practices post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • The intervention group showed significantly lower DNA methylation-derived BMI at 12 months compared to controls.
  • No significant effect on anthropometric BMI was observed, and DNA methylation-derived BMI did not correlate with anthropometric BMI at follow-up.
  • Improved parenting practices did not mediate the intervention's effect on DNA methylation-derived BMI.

Conclusions:

  • Parenting interventions may impact biological pathways related to cardiometabolic risk before anthropometric changes are evident.
  • Family-centered approaches show promise for promoting early metabolic health.
  • Findings suggest potential for early interventions to influence long-term health trajectories.
Abstract

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