Warm Parenting Associated with Decreasing or Stable Child BMI during Treatment

Abstract

Background: While authoritative parenting, which includes high levels of warmth and behavioral control, has been associated with lower risk of obesity, little is known about how general parenting impacts child weight loss during treatment. Our goal was to examine the relationship between several general parenting dimensions and 'decreasing /stable' child BMI during a 16-week familybased behavioral weight control program.Methods: Forty-four overweight parent-child dyads (child age 8 to 12 years) enrolled in the program. Families were videotaped at baseline eating dinner in their home. Using the General Parenting Observational Scale (GPOS), meals were coded for several general parenting dimensions. Primary outcome was percent of children whose BMI 'decreased or stayed the same.' Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between general parenting and decreasing/stable child BMI.Results: Forty families (91%) completed the program. Children had a mean BMI change of -0.40 (SD 1.57), which corresponds to a -0.15 (SD 0.20) change in BMI z-score (BMI-Z); 75% of children had decreasing/stable BMI. In the unadjusted models, lower parent BMI, higher parent education, and higher levels of parental warmth were significantly associated with decreasing/stable child BMI. In the multivariable model, only higher level of warmth was associated with increased odds of decreasing/stable child BMI (OR = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.62).Conclusions: Baseline parental warmth may influence a child's ability to lower/maintain BMI during a standard family-based behavioral weight control program. Efforts to increase parent displays of warmth and emotional support towards their overweight child may help to increase the likelihood of treatment success.

Overweight adolescents’ brain response to sweetened beverages mirrors addiction pathways

“…For example, while the integration of neuroimaging into treatment devleopment is an emerging area (Feldstein Ewing et al 2016a, b; c; Feldstein Ewing et al 2016a, b; c), the significant involvement of brain behavioral control areas (e.g., OFC, IFG) and emotion regulation areas (e.g., amygdala) suggest that effective prevention and intervention efforts for adolescent overweight/obesity may need to include content articulated to improving control over urges and emotionally-driven decision-making around food consumption, presented in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to this age group. However, while individual-level efforts for adolescent overweight/obesity exist (Kong et al 2013), successful treatment efforts for adolescent overweight/obesity are complicated by the nature in which food is purchased and offered in adolescent living situations, which are inherently family-based (Rhee et al 2016). Continuing dialogue on the relationship between neural response and adolescent decision-making around food is fundamental in guiding appropriate and developmentally-responsive methods in prevention and intervention efforts.…”

ADHD, Lifestyles and Comorbidities: A Call for an Holistic Perspective – from Medical to Societal Intervening Factors

“…The authors clarify that the correlation is certainly there but that the effects of poverty (SES) should not be underestimated, specifically when looking at children from negligent homes (Kakinami et al, 2015). In contrast, behavioral modification therapy for obese children found that warm and authoritative parenting had a very positive effect in reducing the body mass index and raising the quality of life of obese children in recovery (Rhee et al, 2016). The entire body of studies show the great importance of family cohesiveness in this disorder and point to often ignored extrinsic social factors, that we argue are equally if not more important than the genetic factors involved.…”

Prácticas parentales, alimentación saludable y medidas objetivas de composición corporal en la niñez preescolar

“…Lo anterior, debido a que el aumento excesivo de estas medidas en los niños y niñas está relacionado directamente con dificultades de salud más tarde en el curso de desarrollo vital (Rhee et al, 2016).…”

“…Por ejemplo, Rhee et al (2016) realizaron una intervención educativa con 44 díadas de padres e hijos(as) estadounidenses entre los 8 y12 años de edad. Dicha intervención se extendía por 16 semanas e incluía adiestramiento en elogiar a los niños y niñas cuando comían alimentos saludables.…”

“…Construir un cuerpo de conocimiento en torno a la relación entre prácticas parentales de alimentación, alimentación saludable y medidas de composición corporal puede informar significativamente sobre posibles núcleos de intervención para atacar el problema de la obesidad infantil. Investigaciones pasadas han constatado el éxito de trabajar las interacciones padre-hijo para promover estilos parentales autoritativos y negociadores que puedan impactar los indicadores de obesidad actuales (Rhee et al, 2016). Por tanto, se vuelve de capital importancia explorar el tema tomando en cuenta lo que otros estudios han aportado y las particularidades del propio contexto social y cultural.…”