Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on September 2, 2009
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp071
Brief Report: Parenting Styles and Obesity in Mexican American Children: A Longitudinal Study
1Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, and 2Department of Human Development, Washington State University
All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Norma Olvera, PhD, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Room 104, Houston, TX 77204-6015, USA. E-mail: nolvera{at}uh.edu.
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Abstract |
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Objective To assess longitudinally the relations between four parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, uninvolved, and indulgent) and child weight status in Mexican American families. Methods Sixty-nine low-income Mexican American mothers and their 4- to 8-year-old children participated in a 4-year longitudinal study. Mothers completed demographic and parenting measures. Children's body weight and height were assessed annually. Body mass index was calculated to determine weight status. Results At baseline, 65% of children were found to be normal weight, 14% were overweight, and 21% were obese. Analyses examined how parenting styles at baseline predicted child's weight status 3 years later, controlling for initial weight status. Children of indulgent mothers were more likely to become overweight 3 years later than children of authoritative or authoritarian mothers. Conclusions This study provides longitudinal evidence for the role of indulgent parenting in predicting overweight in Mexican American children. Possible mediating factors that may account for this relationship (e.g., dietary patterns, physical activity patterns, and children's self-regulation) are considered.
Key words: child obesity; Mexican Americans; parenting..
Received January 16, 2009; revision received July 16, 2009; accepted July 17, 2009