Fathers and mothers with eating-disorder psychopathology: Associations with child eating-disorder behaviors

Abstract

Objective A limited literature suggests an association between maternal eating disorders and child feeding difficulties, and notes maternal concern about inadvertently transmitting eating disorders. Thus, parents may be an important target for eating-disorder research to guide the development of clinical programs. Methods The current study examined differences in child eating-disorder behaviors and parental feeding practices between a sample of parents (42 fathers, 130 mothers) exhibiting core features of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, or purging disorder, and a matched sample of parents (n=172) reporting no eating-disorder characteristics. Results Parents with eating-disorder psychopathology were significantly more likely than parents without eating-disorder characteristics to report child binge-eating and compulsive exercise. Parents with eating-disorder psychopathology reported greater perceived feeding responsibility, greater concern about their child’s weight, and more monitoring of their child’s eating than parents without eating-disorder characteristics; however, they did not differ significantly in restriction of their child’s diet and pressure-to-eat. Child body mass index z-scores did not differ between parents with versus without eating-disorder characteristics. Conclusion Our findings suggest some important differences between parents with and without core eating-disorder psychopathology, which could augment clinical interventions for patients with eating disorders who are parents, or could guide pediatric eating-disorder prevention efforts. However, because our study was cross-sectional, findings could indicate increased awareness of or sensitivity to eating-disorder behaviors rather than a psychosocial cause of those behaviors. Longitudinal research and controlled trials examining prevention and intervention can clarify and address these clinical concerns.

Davranışsal Pediatrik Besleme Değerlendirmesi Ölçeği (DPBDÖ)’ni Türkçe’ye Uyarlama Çalışması

“…Yeme davranışları üzerine yapılan araştırmaların çoğu anne odaklı yapılmakta ve çocuklarının beslenmeleri hakkındaki endişelerini belirlemeye çalışmaktadır. Anneler, yeme problemi olan çocuklarının, yeme bozukluğunun çocuklarına olumsuz etkilerini önlemek veya bunlara değinmek için tedavi arayışlarına yönelmiştir [11]. Çünkü yeme bozukluğu riski taşıyan çocukların en kısa sürede belirlenmesi ve önleme programlarının uygulanmasının daha sonraki yıllarda oluşabilecek yeme bozukluğu riskini azaltabileceği görüşü hakimdir [12].…”

Does your child's weight influence how you judge yourself as a parent? A cross-sectional study to define and examine parental overvaluation of weight/shape

“…As described elsewhere [33], parent groups were formed using items from the EDE-Q and the QEWP-R. The “parent BED” group criteria required binge-eating at least weekly for three months, no weekly purging, and at least moderate distress.…”

Maternal Overnutrition Programs Central Inflammation and Addiction-Like Behavior in Offspring

“…In humans, it is still under investigation if obesity or maternal overnutrition during pregnancy leads to the development of food addiction in the offspring. Initial reports found that children from obese mothers or mothers with eating disorders presented more binge eating and night eating [ 54 , 55 ] and consumed more carbohydrates compared to their normal weight counterparts [ 56 ]. Also, a positive correlation between addicted parents and food addiction in their offspring has been proven [ 57 ], although epidemiological studies are needed to support these findings.…”