Effects of social contexts on overweight and normal-weight children's food intake.
This study investigates the effects of peer influence on the food intake of overweight and normal-weight children. A mixed factorial design was employed, with children's weight status (overweight vs. normal-weight) as a between-subjects factor, and social context (alone vs. group) as a within-subjects factor. A total of 32 children (n=17 overweight and n=15 normal-weight) between the ages of 6-10 years participated in this study. Findings from the random regression model indicated that overweight children ate more when with others than when alone, while in contrast normal-weight ate more with others than they did when alone. Therefore, social context differentially impacts the eating behavior of overweight and normal-weight children. This study underscores differences in responses to the social environment between overweight and non-overweight youths, and suggests that social involvement may be an important tool in treatment and prevention programs for overweight and obesity.
Salvy
Sarah-Jeanne
SJ
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Behavioral Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Farber Hall, Room G56, 3435 Main Street, Building # 26, New York, 14214-3000, USA. ssalvy@buffalo.edu
Coelho
Jennifer S
JS
Kieffer
Elizabeth
E
Epstein
Leonard H
LH
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*