effects of child and parent eating style on obesity of school age girls

ABSTRACT

The research has shown that there is relationship between obesity in childhood and adulthood, and also, there is a direct relationship between obesity of parent, eating style and habit in family, and children obesity. This study was conducted to examine the effects of eating style of child and parent on obesity of school age girls. This research was quasi-experimental study. The sample size included 97 healthy school age girls with BMI percentile above 85% in Shahriar city. They were randomly allocated to either experimental or control group [50 children in the control group and 47 children in experimental group]. The samples in experimental group and their mothers received behavioral modification teaching in 7 sessions and 16 week fallow up was accomplished. Before intervention and also after intervention [every month for 3 months], BMI percentile was recorded for samples of both groups. The samples also completed eating style questionnaire before and after intervention and their mothers did so. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of BMI percentile [P=0.015]. There was no statistical significant difference between two groups in terms of eating style of child and mother [P < 0.05]. Eating style of parent and child has an effect on child obesity and modification of eating style in parent and child is effective in treatment of obesity in children