Observation of family functioning at mealtime: a comparison between families of children with and without overweight.
OBJECTIVE
To examine differences between families of children with and without overweight on parental control and support.


METHODS
Twenty-eight families with an overweight child and a control group of 28 families with a normal weight child (age range 7-13 years) participated in the study. Observations and self-reports of mealtime family functioning were administered and analyzed.


RESULTS
Parents of children with overweight reported to exert more control on their children's feeding behavior and an equal amount of parental support in comparison with parents of children without overweight. However, observations at mealtime indicated that in families with an overweight child, maladaptive control strategies were twice as prevalent, and less parental support was displayed.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reports and observations provide complementary information on how parents interact with their overweight children. Family-based treatment programs should include discussions on the adequate amount of parental control and support.
Moens
Ellen
E
Department of Developmental, Personality & Social Psychology, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. ellen.moens@ugent.be
Braet
Caroline
C
Soetens
Barbara
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019370:Observation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires