Abstract
Background/Objective: Problems associated with eating and weight in childhood are complex and have a multifactorial etiology. In recent years, childhood obesity has become a global public health problem with short- and long-term physical, psychological, and social health consequences. This is a cross-sectional study that evaluates the relationship between parenting styles, eating styles, and parents' body mass index (BMI) and their children's body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating behaviors (DEBs). Method: A sample of 372 dyads of mothers or fathers (mean age = 38 (SD = 8.8)) and boys or girls (mean age = 8.9 years (SD = 0.31)) was used. Results: Path analysis found that an authoritarian parenting style had a significant positive relationship with food approach (β = 0.36, p < 0.001) and food avoidance factors (β = 0.23, p < 0.001). Parental depression was positively associated with food approach (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) and food avoidance factors (β = 0.19, p < 0.001). Food approach factors significantly predicted compensatory behaviors (β = 0.14, p < 0.001). Lastly, both binge eating (β = 0.10, p < 0.05) and compensatory behaviors (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) showed significant positive relationships with children's BMI. Conclusions: A clearer understanding of the relationships among these factors could facilitate earlier and more effective interventions targeting nutrition- and weight-related issues.