Association between maternal eating behaviors and the body composition of their adolescent son in the population of Allende, Nuevo León - Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: Appetite traits (RA) are part of the eating behavior of the person, with a series of continuous responses that are related to the choice and consumption of food, but also to aspects at the moment in which the feeding is carried out, the frequency of meals, the place where they take place, the company with which they are shared, among others. These factors can have a significant impact on the way a person eats and on their long-term health. Objective: To analyze the possible connection between maternal eating behavior, with the body composition of the adolescent, from a high school in the city of Allende, Nuevo León, Mexico. Material and methods. A quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out. The period of the present study was February-August 2022, the population was 41 couples (mother and adolescent son between 12 and 17 years old), from a high school in the municipality of Allende, Nuevo León, Mexico. To test the hypothesis, Spearman's correlation coefficient was obtained. Results. When running the statistical test, it was found that there is no significant correlation between the level of eating behavior of the mother and the body composition of the adolescent (r = -0.174, p = 0.277), therefore, the hypothesis of investigation. Conclusions. It was found that the eating behavior of the mother is not significantly related to the body composition of the adolescents with the sample considered in the present study.