Latent class analysis of dietary restraint in mother-adolescent dyads

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to identify adolescent profiles based on their dietary restraint behavior. A sample of 470 mothers with one child between 10 and 17 years of age were surveyed in Chile. Questionnaires included the Revised Restraint Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Satisfaction with Food-related Life scale, Satisfaction with Family Life scale and the Adapted Healthy Eating Index. The results of the Latent Class Analysis yielded two classes: dieters and non-dieters. Dieters had a higher mean age, higher proportion of overweight and obesity and lower scores on the satisfaction with life and food-related life. Families from the dieters class had a lower frequency of family dinners. Their mothers had higher weight fluctuation and rates of obesity. The results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing overweight/obesity and dietary restraint in adolescents and intended to improve adolescent subjective well-being must include both the mother and the adolescent, regardless of sex.