Relation of Maternal Feeding Practices and Food Socialization Behaviors to Weight Status in Low Income 3- and 4-year Old Children

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of maternal parenting style and food socialization behaviors on child weight status in low-rural Oklahoma children. Participants in the study were 131 children aged three, four, and five years enrolled an Oklahoma Head Start Centers. Mothers of the participants completed a demographic questionnaire and other questionnaires examining parenting practices. Anthropometric measurements were measured in fall 2006. Findings and Conclusions: Approximately 30% of children in this sample were at risk for overweight, or overweight based on Center for Disease Control standards. Neither parenting style nor food socialization behaviors significantly contributed to the variance among child weight in all children. However, significant differences were evident depending on child gender. Paternal education impacted child weight status most notably in male children. Concern for weight and perceived responsibility were important in assessing variance in BMI z-scores of female children.Department of Nutritional Science