Effects of parent-only childhood obesity prevention programs on BMIz and body image in rural preteens

Abstract

This experiment compared body image (BI) and BMI changes resulting from two parent-only obesity prevention interventions aimed at 8-12 year olds. Parents in the experimental intervention attended ten face-to-face educational sessions, while parents in the minimal (control) intervention received similar mailed information. Parent-child dyads (N=150) were semi-randomly assigned to intervention groups. Children were assessed before, after, and 6 months following the interventions; children did not attend experimental intervention sessions. Child BI assessments included weight and size perception, weight management goals, body esteem, and appearance attitudes. Significant effects included small decreases in BMIz scores and overweight dissatisfaction, as well as improvements in aspects of body esteem and appearance attitudes. Some BI effects were gender-specific. Decreases in overweight dissatisfaction were greater following the experimental treatment. Neither treatment reduced body size misperception. Thus, parent-only obesity prevention interventions can reduce body weight and body image concerns among rural preteens.

Obesity, body image, and its impact on children's eating and exercise behaviors in China: A nationwide longitudinal study

“…As shown in previous studies, our results indicate the significant association between child body image and their health behaviors and risk of obesity. 12–14 We consistently found that girls were more likely than boys to perceive their bodies as close to their actual weight status, 7 desired a thin body image, 4, 5 and wanted to lose weight to achieve their ideal. 5 Nevertheless, boys’ self-body image became fatter along with their increasing weight status over time in our study.…”

“…13 Obesity intervention resulted in significant improvements in body esteem and weight gain. 14 When Chinese mothers thought their children were fat, they were more likely to encourage their children to increase their physical activity and to diet. 2 However, this maternal encouragement did not improve children’s weight gain, possibly due to the struggle between self-motivation and low self-esteem from weight stigma.…”

Disordered eating, body image concerns, and weight control behaviors in primary school aged children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of universal–selective prevention interventions

“…Of the nine studies that evaluated lifestyle interventions, a parent only obesity prevention program reported improvements in child body esteem, appearance attitudes, and overweight dissatisfaction (Eldridge et al, 2016) (Table 1). In two physical activities, nutrition and body image interventions, one study reported an improvement in body image (Dowdy et al, 2013).…”

Pohybová aktivita, sedavé chování a obezita rodičů a jejich dětí

“…Protože děti tráví v péči svých rodičů značné množství času, bývají rodiče nazýváni "strážci" jejich zdravotního chování (Rhodes et al, 2013). Podle Sociálního modelu dětského chování (Taylor, Baranowski, & Sallis, 1994), který vychází ze Sociálně kognitivní teorie (Bandura, 1977;2001), mají rodiče přímý vliv nejen na chování dítěte, ale i na úroveň jeho tělesné hmotnosti (Eldridge et al, 2016), stravovací návyky (Larsen et al, 2015), PA Liszewska et al, 2018;Yao & Rhodes, 2015) a "screen time" (Downing, Hinkley, & Hesketh, 2015).…”