Premium
‘He's got his father's bias’: Parental influence on weight bias in young children
Author(s) -
Spiel Emma C.,
Rodgers Rachel F.,
Paxton Susan J.,
Wertheim Eleanor H.,
Damiano Stephanie R.,
Gregg Karen J.,
McLean Siân A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
british journal of developmental psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 2044-835X
pISSN - 0261-510X
DOI - 10.1111/bjdp.12123
Subject(s) - dieting , psychology , developmental psychology , weight loss , body weight , clinical psychology , obesity , medicine
Our aim was to explore the role of parents in the transmission of stereotypical body size attitudes and awareness of weight loss strategies to preschool children. Participants were 279 3‐year‐old children and their parents, who provided data at baseline and 1 year later. Parents completed self‐report body size attitude and dieting measures. Child weight bias and awareness of weight loss strategies were assessed through interview. Over time, negative associations with large bodies and awareness of weight loss strategies increased. Fathers’ attitudes prospectively predicted boys’ weight bias and awareness of weight loss strategies. Among girls, parental attitudes were less predictive. Findings confirm the importance of fathers in the development of boys’ body attitudes and inform prevention programmes.