Adolescent experiences of weight-related communication: Sociodemographic differences and the role of parents.

IF 2.7 3区医学 Q1 PEDIATRICS

Pediatric Obesity Pub Date : 2024-12-19 DOI:10.1111/ijpo.13196

Leah M Lessard, Rui Wu, Rebecca M Puhl, Gary D Foster, Michelle I Cardel

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Weight-related conversations are common between adolescents and parents. However, there is limited understanding of how these conversations vary across sociodemographic groups, such as sex, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, or parents' level of education. This study assessed the prevalence of weight-related communication among adolescents and parents across sociodemographic characteristics, and identified adolescents' preferred sources for these discussions.

Methods: Quantitative data were collected through online surveys from two independent U.S.

Samples: adolescents aged 10-17 years of age (N = 2032), and parents of children aged 10-17 years of age (N = 1936). Frequency and sources of weight-related communication were assessed. Sociodemographic factors were analysed for their associations with these communication patterns.

Results: While few differences emerged based on race/ethnicity or grade level, significant variation was observed for sex, sexual orientation, and parental education. Girls, sexual minority youth, high school students, and those with college-educated parents were more likely to communicate about their own weight, whereas boys were more likely to comment on others' weight. Most adolescents preferred healthcare professionals (71%) and parents (69%) for these conversations, although sexual minority youth preferred mental health professionals considerably more than parents. Among parents, 77% discussed their child's weight, with fathers and Latinx parents engaging more frequently in these conversations, and Black parents engaging least frequently.

Conclusion: Weight-related communication is prevalent among adolescents and parents, with variation across sociodemographic characteristics. As healthcare professionals and parents were identified as the preferred sources for weight-related communication by adolescents across sociodemographic groups, it is important that paediatricians and parents are equipped to engage in these conversations without imparting stigma.

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来源期刊

Pediatric Obesity PEDIATRICS-

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

5.30%

发文量

117

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Pediatric Obesity is a peer-reviewed, monthly journal devoted to research into obesity during childhood and adolescence. The topic is currently at the centre of intense interest in the scientific community, and is of increasing concern to health policy-makers and the public at large. Pediatric Obesity has established itself as the leading journal for high quality papers in this field, including, but not limited to, the following: Genetic, molecular, biochemical and physiological aspects of obesity – basic, applied and clinical studies relating to mechanisms of the development of obesity throughout the life course and the consequent effects of obesity on health outcomes Metabolic consequences of child and adolescent obesity Epidemiological and population-based studies of child and adolescent overweight and obesity Measurement and diagnostic issues in assessing child and adolescent adiposity, physical activity and nutrition Clinical management of children and adolescents with obesity including studies of treatment and prevention Co-morbidities linked to child and adolescent obesity – mechanisms, assessment, and treatment Life-cycle factors eg familial, intrauterine and developmental aspects of child and adolescent obesity Nutrition security and the "double burden" of obesity and malnutrition Health promotion strategies around the issues of obesity, nutrition and physical activity in children and adolescents Community and public health measures to prevent overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.