Observation of Family Functioning at Mealtime: A Comparison Between Families of Children With and Without Overweight

Moens, Ellen; Braet, Caroline; Soetens, Barbara

doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsl011

Cited by 153 publications

(148 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Two cross-sectional direct observational studies examined family functioning during family meals with children who are overweight and found that families with an overweight/obese child had difficulties with managing family conflict and task accomplishment during family meals compared with families with nonoverweight children. 13,14 Findings from a pilot study, which led to the current study, suggested that more positive interpersonal interactions among family members during family meals were associated with lower BMI percentile and more healthful dietary intake in adolescents. 15 Thus, limited results suggest that family dynamics during family meals may be associated with youth weight and weight-related behaviors; however, these studies were conducted in small samples, were not racially/ ethnically or socioeconomically (SES) diverse, and included older children and adolescents.…”

Section: Ifirs-iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales Ses-socioeconomimentioning

confidence: 78%

Childhood Obesity and Interpersonal Dynamics During Family Meals

2014

PEDIATRICS

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Family meals are protective for child health, but there are inconsistent findings in relation to child weight status. More research is needed examining why family meals are protective for child health and whether there are differences by child weight status. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:The current mixed-methods study used direct observational methods to examine family dynamics during family meals and child weight status. Results indicated that positive family interpersonal and food-related dynamics during family meals were associated with reduced prevalence of childhood obesity. abstract BACKGROUND: Family meals have been found to be associated with a number of health benefits for children; however, associations with obesity have been less consistent, which raises questions about the specific characteristics of family meals that may be protective against childhood obesity. The current study examined associations between interpersonal and food-related family dynamics at family meals and childhood obesity status. METHODS:The current mixed-methods, cross-sectional study included 120 children (47% girls; mean age: 9 years) and parents (92% women; mean age: 35 years) from low-income and minority communities. Families participated in an 8-day direct observational study in which family meals were video-recorded in their homes. Family meal characteristics (eg, length of the meal, types of foods served) were described and associations between dyadic (eg, parent-child, child-sibling) and familylevel interpersonal and food-related dynamics (eg, communication, affect management, parental food control) during family meals and child weight status were examined.

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Section: Ifirs-iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales Ses-socioeconomimentioning

confidence: 78%

Childhood Obesity and Interpersonal Dynamics During Family Meals

2014

PEDIATRICS

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“…The extant literature described many family characteristics that contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors in children and decreased success in pediatric weight management treatment, 23,[49][50][51][52][53][54] including parental control, food restriction, and unhealthy family communication. However, which characteristics predict successful treatment of pediatric obesity remains undefined, beyond the need for family support and good family communication.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Pediatric Obesity and Family Communication Through the Lens of Addiction Literature

2014

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Background: Both treatment of addiction and treatment of pediatric obesity often integrate the family unit. Thus, addiction therapies may provide a model to guide treatment of pediatric obesity, particularly issues of family communication, weight, and weight-related behaviors. The aim of this systematic review is to assess what knowledge in the field of addiction treatment can be translated to pediatric weight management, particularly in relation to family-based approaches and communication.Methods: A systematic review of family communication and food addiction in obese children was conducted using MEDLINE and other databases, including all English-language studies published after 1990 meeting search criteria and related to family factors or family communication, and addiction treatment strategies used in obesity interventions.Results: Three reviews, two survey studies, and two observational studies were included. Most focused on family communication; less-healthy communication patterns and parental restriction were related to maladaptive eating behaviors in children and attrition from weight management programs. A few studies suggested family communication interventions to improve unhealthy eating patterns in children, using therapies common in family treatment of addiction (e.g., motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy). No studies presented concrete suggestions to aid family communication around issues of food and weight management. Potential contributions of addiction therapies are discussed.Conclusions: Though the addictive properties of food have not been fully delineated and obesity is not classified as a disease of addiction, the field of addiction offers many approaches that may prove useful in the treatment of obesity.

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“…It has generally been found that parents whose children are overweight or who are concerned about their children being overweight are more likely to use food restriction (e. g., Gregory, et al, 2010;Santos, et al, 2009). Indeed, in a dinnertime meal observation study parents of overweight children used restriction twice as often as parents of children who were not overweight (Moens, Braet, & Soetens, 2007).…”

Section: Restrictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parenting Practices that can Prevent or Reduce Childhood Obesity

Eldridge

Lynch

Bailey

et al. 2011

JYD

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Overweight in children is more prevalent than ever before. What can parents do to try to promote health and prevent obesity in their own children? The present paper reviews research related to parenting and childhood obesity. The review describes what foodrelated parenting practices may be helpful: modeling healthy eating behaviors, making time for family meals, making sure healthy food is available and accessible, becoming aware of appropriate portion sizes, encouraging children to eat breakfast, and limiting soda and fast food intake. The paper also discusses food-related parenting practices that may not work to help prevent obesity: pressure to eat, food rewards, restriction, permissiveness, and modeling of unhealthy eating behaviors. Additional parenting practices such as supporting and engaging in physical activity, encouraging an adequate amount of sleep, and limiting television and other screen-media may also help children to maintain healthy weights. Suggestions are also given for professionals working with youth.

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Observation of Family Functioning at Mealtime: A Comparison Between Families of Children With and Without Overweight

Abstract: Self-reports and observations provide complementary information on how parents interact with their overweight children. Family-based treatment programs should include discussions on the adequate amount of parental control and support.

Cited by 153 publications

References 33 publications

Childhood Obesity and Interpersonal Dynamics During Family Meals

Childhood Obesity and Interpersonal Dynamics During Family Meals

A Systematic Review of Pediatric Obesity and Family Communication Through the Lens of Addiction Literature

Parenting Practices that can Prevent or Reduce Childhood Obesity

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