Relationships between maternal and adolescent weight-related behaviors and concerns: the role of perception.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between maternal and adolescent weight-related behaviors and concerns in a population-based sample.


METHODS
Participants were 810 adolescents (n=429 girls and n=381 boys) and their mothers/guardians. Adolescents were part of the Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) study, which was a comprehensive study of eating patterns and weight concerns among adolescents in Minnesota. Outcome variables included child's body dissatisfaction, weight concerns, dieting, and use of healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviors.


RESULTS
Adolescents reported lower rates of maternal dieting than mothers. Maternal self-report of dieting was not significantly associated with children's weight-related concerns. Children's perceptions of their mothers' behaviors were significantly related to their level of weight concerns and use of weight control behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents' perceptions of maternal behavior affect their weight-related concerns and behaviors. This suggests that mothers who choose to diet should model healthy choices in the areas of nutrition and physical activity.
Keery
Helene
H
Methodist Hospital, Eating Disorders Institute, St. Louis Park, MN 55426, USA. keeryh@parknicollet.com
Eisenberg
Marla E
ME
Boutelle
Kerri
K
Neumark-Sztainer
Dianne
D
Story
Mary
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D013223:Statistics as Topic