PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY: THE PREDICTORS OF OBESITY-RELATED PARENTAL FEEDING PRACTICES

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the factors predicting parental feeding practices linked to childhood obesity by reviewing existing literature. I will review evidence about how specific parenting styles, overall health literacy and nutrition literacy, may be related to the likelihood of engaging in obesity-related parental feeding practices. The depiction of parent-guided versus child-guided feeding practices will be uncovered, elaborating on the difference and effects of both styles. Specifically, parent-focused variables in health and nutrition literacy that are uncontrollable by children but have adverse effects have shown increased rates of childhood obesity. This paper aims to acquire a deeper understanding of the factors related to parental feeding practices that are associated with increased rates of childhood obesity. In turn, findings will provide recommendations about how to tailor interventions for parents who may be more likely to be engaging in poor feeding practices for their children. Previous literature concludes that authoritarian parenting has a positive correlation with predictors of parental feeding practices and early-onset childhood obesity. Correspondingly, the additional parent-focused variables, such as parental health literacy and nutrition literacy have positive correlations with early-onset childhood obesity. Thus, there is an association between childhood obesity, parental feeding practices, and lower levels of health and nutrition literacy.

Keywords: parental feeding practices, childhood obesity, children