Parental influences on childhood obesity

Abstract

Aims: This symposium will highlight new findings related to the influence of parents on childhood obesity. It will include a discussion of the influence of how parents talk to children about their weight, it will highlight parental influences on childhood obesity (e.g., their attitudes and beliefs how to raise children, their perceptions of accessibility and availability of health-promoting environmental factors, and their opinions with regard to different types of exercise), and give a description of an exercise program for middle and high school students. New findings will be discussed in order to inform the development of childhood obesity intervention programs. Rationale: The familial environment is an important target to focus on when developing childhood obesity intervention programs as parents can set the context and influence children in their choice of dietary and activity behaviors. The full extent and mechanism of their influence on children’s behavior is not yet fully understood. Summary: Following a short introduction to the symposium, the first speaker will present the findings of a systematic review investigating the relationship between parent-child weight-related communication and a child’s wellbeing. The second speaker will present a study of the effects of child and parental perceptions of obesogenic environments on diet, exercise, and body fat. The third speaker will discuss the validation of a general parenting questionnaire and how its use helps us to understand influences on children’s energy balance-related behaviors. The fourth speaker will present on parental opinions about aerobic and strength exercises among their children. In addition, this speaker will provide a description of an intervention program promoting aerobic and strength exercise among high school students. The discussant will highlight the key findings uncovered in all the talks and will make recommendations for the improvement of existing childhood obesity interventions.