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Associations between Parent Restrained Eating, Conflict, and Adolescent Eating (in Latinx Sample)

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to improve understanding of the role of family, at multiple levels, in potentially shaping adolescent eating behaviors (i.e., restrained, emotional, and external). To achieve this goal, this study used data from parent–adolescent dyads in ethnic minority families living in poverty, a group that is understudied and disproportionately affected by obesity, to accomplish three primary aims: (1) determine if parental restrained eating behavior is associated with adolescent eating behaviors; (2) examine variation in parent and adolescent perspectives on conflict, and whether source-specific appraisals of conflict are associated with adolescent eating behaviors; and (3) determine whether parent–adolescent conflict mediates the association between parent restrained eating and adolescent eating behaviors. Parents completed a measure of restrained eating and adolescents completed measures of three forms of eating behaviors (i.e., restrained, emotional, and external cues), while parents and adolescents (N = 91) completed reports of parent–adolescent conflict. Greater parent-reported restrained eating was associated with more adolescent-reported restrained, emotional, and external eating. Adolescent-reported parent–adolescent conflict (M = 57.03, SD = 18.37) did not differ significantly from parent-reported parent–adolescent conflict (M = 59.25, SD = 21.40). There was a small, but significant, correlation between parent- and adolescent-reported conflict (r = 0.27, p < 0.05). Greater adolescent-reported parent–adolescent conflict was associated with more emotional and external eating. No evidence of mediation was found for any adolescent eating behavior outcome. The findings underscore the importance of examining adolescent eating behavior in the context of the broader family system.

Highlights

  • Focuses on understudied impoverished Latino/a sample.

  • Utilizes dyadic data for parent and adolescents’ reports on family functioning.

  • Explores the link between adolescent eating behavior and multi-level family factors.

  • Guide for clinical practice with adolescents struggling with weight related issues.

  • Guide for family research and intervention development and implementation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Antoinette M. London-Johnson, Jeffery W. Allen, Kinsey E. Pocchio & Joseph G. Grzywacz

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  1. Antoinette M. London-Johnson
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  2. Jeffery W. Allen
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  3. Kinsey E. Pocchio
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  4. Joseph G. Grzywacz
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Contributions

A.M.L.J. designed and executed the study, analyzed the data and wrote part of the results, wrote the paper, organized all aspects of paper preparation and submission. J.W.A. assisted with designing and executing the study, assisted with data analysis, and assisted with the writing of the paper. K.E.P. was added to the revised paper for contributing to the writing, building of the theoretical framework, and editing of the final paper. J.G.G. was responsible for reviewing data analyses and wrote part of the results. A.M.L.J., J.W.A., K.E.P., and J.G.G. collaborated in the writing and editing of the final paper. All authors provided critical feedback on drafts leading to the final paper.

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Correspondence to Antoinette M. London-Johnson.

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London-Johnson, A.M., Allen, J.W., Pocchio, K.E. et al. Associations between Parent Restrained Eating, Conflict, and Adolescent Eating (in Latinx Sample). J Child Fam Stud 30, 98–106 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01847-6

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