This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chen, J.-L. Articles by Kennedy, C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Chen, J.-L. Articles by Kennedy, C. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Family Functioning, Parenting Style, and Chinese Children’s Weight Status

Christine Kennedy, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.

University of California, San Francisco

Childhood obesity is an important health problem affecting Chinese and Chinese American children. A cross-sectional study examined factors that contributed to children’s weight status in Taiwan and the United States. Participants were 163 Chinese children (ages 8 to 10 years) and their mothers. Mothers in both countries completed basic demographic questions and the Family Assessment Device and Attitudes Toward Child-Rearing Scale. U.S. mothers also completed the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale. Children had their weight and height measured and also completed the Children Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist, Food Frequency Questionnaire, and Schoolager’s Coping Strategies Inventory. Multiple regression analyses indicated that five variables significantly contributed to the variance in children’s body mass index: older age (10%), being a boy (5.8%), more democratic parenting style (7.4%), poor communication (8.4%), and poor behavior control (3%). Families with clear communication, adequate behavior control, and structured parenting help to regulate their children’s healthy behavior.

Key Words: Chinese • Chinese American • parenting • obesity

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?