Effects of child and parental perceptions of obesogenic environment on diet, exercise, and body fat

Abstract

Background: We aimed at testing the indirect effects of perceptions of accessibility and availability of health-promoting environmental factors on child’s body fat tissue. Study 1 investigated the associations between child’s and parental perceptions of availability of feasible healthy eating promotion, child’s fruit and vegetable intake and body fat tissue changes in children. Study 2 tested the associations between accessibility of feasible physical activity facilities, vigorous physical activity, and changes in body fat among children. Methods: Overall, 882 dyads participated in Study 1; 838 dyads took part in Study 2. Both studies applied the longitudinal design (with a Time 2 [T2] data collected at 7-8 months after Time 1 [T1]). Children (age 6-10) and parents provided their self-report data. Body composition was measured with bio-impedance method. Findings: Analyses conducted for Study 1 indicated that parental perceptions of higher availability of healthy diet promotion programs (T1) explained higher fruit and vegetable intake (T2) among children. In turn, healthier parental diet (T1) was predictive of lower fat tissue among children (T2). The results of Study 2 suggest that parental perceptions of higher availability and accessibility of built facilities (T1) had an indirect effect on more frequent vigorous physical activity in children (T2) and that more frequent vigorous physical activity among parents and children (T1) explained a lower increase of body fat among children (T2). Conclusions: Parental evaluations of accessibility and availability of feasible health-promoting facilities/programs and parental behaviors explain changes in child’s body fat.