Healthy Lifestyle Intervention: Application of Parenting Styles and Practices Among Latino Fathers and Early Adolescents

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. December 2018. Major: Nutrition. Advisor: Marla Reicks. 1 computer file (PDF); xiii, 259 pages.Background: The high prevalence of pediatric obesity is a public health crisis. Poor dietary intake, physical inactivity and excessive screen time are obesogenic energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs). The obesity rate is disproportionately high among Latino adolescents who face unhealthy acculturation challenges. Therefore, prioritizing intervention efforts to provide effective and culturally appropriate strategies is neccessary. Enhancing parental involvement in behavioral-based interventions may result in greater effectiveness for improving EBRBs and preventing pediatric obesity. Two promising strategies include addressing the overarching influence of parenting styles and practices on adolescents’ EBRBs and the underrepresentation of fathers. Overall Objective: To provide theoretical support and empirical evidence for incorporating parenting skills education regarding parenting styles and practices in healthy lifestyle intervention programs to prevent unhealthy weight gain among Latino early adolescents (age 10-14). Methods: The methods included secondary data analyses using population-level survey data, focus group interviews based on the grounded theory approach, psychometric testing of criterion validity for measures to evaluate program effectiveness, and a quasi-experimental design using pre- and post-intervention comparisons to determine program feasibility based on acceptability and preliminary effectiveness. Results: Analysis of the population-level survey data showed that parenting styles moderated the associations of parenting practices with adolescents’ junk food/sugary drink intake and physical activity. Parenting styles were also associated with adolescents’ dietary intake and screen time after adjusting for the mediating effects of parenting practices. Focus group interviews generated themes related to Latino fathers’ beliefs and concerns about their early adolescents' EBRBs, their food and activity parenting practices, and factors that may influence their involvement in promoting healthy EBRBs. Psychometric testing of evaluation measures showed good criterion validity for adolescent-reported parenting practices and poor validity for father-reported parenting practices around adolescents’ EBRBs. The pilot study of the Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables program demonstrated feasibility based on acceptability and preliminary effectiveness regarding behavioral outcomes. Conclusions: The influence of parenting styles on adolescents’ EBRBs and parenting practices needs to be further addressed in pediatric obesity prevention. Latino father involvement in the Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables program may be effective in promoting healthy EBRBs and preventing unhealthy weight gain among early adolescents