New Study Claims That Good Relationship With Parents is Key in Lowering Teen Obesity Risk

The study, conducted in the USA and published by the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, suggests that adolescents and young adults reported better weight-related behaviors if they experience positive relationships with their parents.

The study looked at over 6400 young people between the ages of 14 and 24, 3768 of who were female and 2614 male. Data was collected about overall family functioning, as well as the quality of mother, father and adolescent relationship in combination with the weight status and eating habits of the adolescent/young adult.

 

In total, 80% of those studied reported having good and stable families, whilst 60% of females reported a high quality daughter –parent relationship, and 50% of males a high quality son-parent relationship.

 

The results showed that young people of both genders were more likely to follow a healthy diet, get more sleep and be physically active if they reported stable families and strong relationships with their parents.

 

Female attitudes to physical activity, fast food, disordered eating and the likelihood of being obese or overweight general, appear to be affected equally by the quality of their relationship with both parents. However, results show that males could be more affected by their relationship with fathers, with a good relationship affecting how they eat and exercise, but only a high quality father and son relationships showing a clear association with lower odds of becoming overweight or obese.

 

The studies’ findings highlight the importance of family behaviors and relationships on young people's overall health.