A cross-sectional study of obesogenic behaviours and family rules according to family structure in European children

Abstract

Background: There has been an increase in children growing up in non-traditional families, such as single-parent and blended families. Children from such families have a higher prevalence of obesity and poorer health outcomes, but research on the relationship with obesogenic behaviours is limited. Objectives: Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether there are associations between family structures and obesogenic behaviours and related family rules in European children and adolescents. Methods: The sample included 7664 children (mean age ± SD: 10.9 ± 2.9) from 4923 families who were participants of the multi-centre I.Family study (2013/2014) conducted in 8 European countries. Family structure was assessed by a detailed interview on kinship and household. Obesogenic behaviours (screen time, sleep duration, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)) and family rules (rules for computer and television, bedtime routine, availability of SSBs during meals) were determined by standardized questionnaires. Multilevel mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models were used to model the associations of family structure with obesogenic behaviours and family rules. Sex, age, parental education level, number of children and adults in the household and BMI zscore were covariates in the models. Two-parent biological families were set as the reference category. Results: Children from single-parent families were less likely to have family rules regarding screen time (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40-0.94, p = 0.026) with higher reported hours of screen time per week (β = 2.70 h/week, 95% CI: 1.39-4.00, p < 0.001). The frequency of weekly SSB consumption differed by family structure in a sex-specific manner: girls from single-parent (β = 3.19 frequency/week, 95% CI: 0.91-5.47, p = 0.006) and boys from blended/adoptive families (β = 3.01 frequency/week, 95% CI: 0.99-5.03, p = 0.004) consumed more SSBs. Sleep duration, bedtime routines and availability of SSBs during meals did not differ between children from these family structures. Parental education did not modify any of these associations.

Sedentary Behaviors Of A School Population In Brazil And Related Factors Descriptive Research With Questionnaire

“…Stahlmann et al observed that children from single-parent families reported longer hours of television consumption (p < 0.001) [18]. In our study, no signi cant difference was observed in this regard (p = 0.476).…”

Prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines in a sample of Brazilian adolescents

“…Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is also associated with less physical activity [22], less screentime [27], and poorer sleep [28,29]. And recently, the family structure (e.g., living with both parents or single parent) has also been shown to be associated with screen time [30]. Fewer girls and fewer older adolescents seem to meet all 24-hour movement recommendations compared to boys and younger peers in the United States [21], while age was also inversely related to meeting all the guidelines simultaneously among Canadian adolescents [20].…”

Relationships of Family food environment with food and nutrition literacy in Chinese school-age children

“…An observational cohort study of 699 American children aged 6 to 11 years and their parents showed a prevalent use of encouragement/modeling and restrictive feeding practices and a high availability of low-calorie/nutrient-dense foods in the home, and other parenting and food availability measures were near the middle of the possible score range [20]. The Above studies agreed that compared to permission pattern, more families restricted children's eating Undoubtedly, the potential impact of FFE on children's food choice and diet quality is particularly relevant [23,[27][28][29][30][31]. A systematic review (14 studies published between 1994 and 2017) indicated that family environmental factors (household food availability, caregivers' nutritional knowledge and family income) were consistently associated with children's food consumption and micronutrient intake [22].…”