Role of parental characteristics and feeding practices in childhood obesity: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity represents a growing global public health challenge, and parental characteristics together with family feeding practices are increasingly recognised as important determinants of children's dietary behaviours and weight status. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between parental characteristics, feeding practices and the risk of obesity among school-aged children.

METHODS

A total of 446 parent-child dyads, consisting of primary school-aged children and one of their parents, were included in the study. In this cross-sectional study, parental feeding practices and the family environment were evaluated using the Child Feeding Questionnaire and the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity tool. Factors associated with age-standardised child body mass index (BMI) were identified using multivariable linear regression, with restricted cubic splines employed to explore potential non-linear associations with parental BMI.

RESULTS

The prevalence of obesity was 18.2% among the children. Factors positively associated with child BMI were maternal BMI (β=0.136), perceived child weight (β=0.143) and concern about child weight (β=0.133), while pressure to eat was negatively associated (β=-0.218; all p<0.01). In adjusted models, parental BMIs showed non-linear associations (pnonlinearity<0.05), levelling off for mothers while intensifying for fathers at higher BMI levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Parental characteristics-particularly maternal BMI, educational level and feeding practices-play a significant role in the development of childhood obesity. Family-centred preventive strategies addressing parental behaviours and awareness may contribute to more effective obesity prevention and support the development of public health policies.