Parenting matters: Moderation of biological and community risk for obesity

Abstract

Contributions of parental limit setting, negativity, scaffolding, warmth, and responsiveness to Body Mass Index (BMI) were examined. Parenting behaviors were observed in parent-child interactions, and child BMI was assessed at 5 years of age. Mothers provided demographic information and obtained child saliva samples used to derive cortisol concentration indicators ( = 250). Geospatial crime indices were computed based on publically available information for a subsample residing within the boundaries of a Pacific Northwest city ( = 114). Maternal warmth and limit setting moderated the association between child HPA-axis regulation and BMI. BMI was higher for children at lower cortisol concentrations with greater maternal warmth and lower for youngsters with mid-range cortisol values under high maternal limit setting. Maternal scaffolding moderated the effects of crime exposure, so that lower scaffolding translated into higher child BMI with greater neighborhood crime exposure. These parenting behaviors could be leveraged in obesity prevention/intervention efforts.

Childhood Neighborhood Disadvantage, Parenting, and Adult Health

“…One other study tested the interaction of neighborhood and parenting characteristics on obesity, finding that positive parenting mitigated the association between neighborhood crime and higher BMI in children aged 5 years. 68 CRP was positively associated with BMI (r=0.39, p<0.001), consistent with the finding of previous research (r=0.36 in a meta-analysis of 51 studies). 69 This study extends previous work linking elevated CRP levels with both neighborhood disadvantage 8,70,71 and nurturing parenting [72][73][74][75] by showing that the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage in childhood and systemic inflammation in adulthood is buffered by consistent and supportive parenting and exacerbated by inconsistent and unsupportive parenting.…”

Does optimal parenting style help offspring maintain healthy weight into mid-life?

“…Compared to the authoritative style, the elevated BMI increase associated with the authoritarian style was particularly pronounced, and this finding may be attributable to the synergistic effects of low parental warmth and high parental control. Although the dimension of parental control was not associated with BMI change in this middle-aged sample, prior studies have separately linked low parental warmth and excessive parental control with increased risk of childhood obesity (Gartstein et al, 2018;Larsen et al, 2015;Rhee et al, 2016). Low parental warmth may result in higher emotional distress and low self-efficacy, while high parental control may lead to lack of capacity for reasoning and selfregulation.…”

Reexamining the complex issue of obesity in childhood

“…Th e complexities of obesity are now better understood than they were 10 years ago, with multiple pinpointed contributors, including genetic, environmental, socioeconomic, and physiologic factors. 1,6 Additionally, more randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies are underway, with the latest results guiding best practice. In consideration of the changing landscape, the new 2023 AAP guideline recommends that providers consider the child's overall health status, family, community, and available resources when developing a plan of care.…”

“…Additionally, the CPG does not address obesity prevention; a separate guideline is slated to be published on this topic in the future. The complexities of obesity are now better understood than they were 10 years ago, with multiple pinpointed contributors, including genetic, environmental, socioeconomic, and physiologic factors 1,6. Additionally, more randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies are underway, with the latest results guiding best practice.…”