Modeling of Childhood Obesity Based on the Mediating Roll of Maternal Feeding Style in the Relationship Between Maternal Body Mass Index and Parenting Stress with Child Body Mass Index

Given the considerable increase in the prevalence of obesity/overweight in Iran especially in school age children, it is important to identify the causes of childhood obesity. The aim of this study is to develop a model of childhood obesity based on maternal body mass index and parenting stress mediated by maternal feeding styles.

The statistical sample consisted of 460 students aged 7 to 11 from schools of Tehran with their mothers. Subjects were selected using cluster sampling method. After measuring the body mass index of children and their mothers, Parenting Stress Index- Short Form and Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire were completed by mothers. Data were analyzed by Amos software with using Structural Equation Method.

The model generally had a good fit. Based on the results of path analysis of maternal body mass index, parenting stress, emotional feeding, instrumental feeding, prompting/encouragement to eat, and controlling feeding directly predict the child's body mass index. The results showed that maternal body mass index and parenting stress also indirectly predict the child's body mass index through all of the maternal feeding styles subscales such as Emotional, Instrumental, Control and Encouragement feeding style.

The findings of this study showed that these relationships can predict childhood obesity as a model,  and can lead to useful insights into interventions in the first level of prevention.