Parental stress increases body mass index trajectory in pre-adolescents.

ABSTRACT:

What is already known about this subject

Rates of childhood obesity have increased since the mid-1970s. Research into behavioural determinants has focused on physical inactivity and unhealthy diets. Cross-sectional studies indicate an association between psychological stress experienced by parents and obesity in pre-adolescents.

What this study adds

We provide evidence of a prospective association between parental psychological stress and increased weight gain in pre-adolescents. Family-level support for those experiencing chronic stress might help promote healthy diet and exercise behaviours in children.

Objective

We examined the impact of parental psychological stress on body mass index (BMI) in pre-adolescent children over 4 years of follow-up.

Methods

We in

SUBMITTER: Shankardass K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4334321 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature