Longitudinal associations between parenting style and adolescent disordered eating behaviors

Eat Weight Disord. 2015 Jun;20(2):187-94. doi: 10.1007/s40519-014-0154-z. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to identify the longitudinal association between specific parenting styles (authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and neglectful) and adolescent disordered eating behaviors.

Methods: The current study uses longitudinal data from a 5-year study to examine the associations between parenting style and disordered eating behaviors among adolescents. Data from adolescents (n = 2516) participating in Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a population-based study from 31 Minnesota schools, were used in the analysis. Time 1 data were collected using in-class assessments of adolescents from Minneapolis/St. Paul schools, and Time 2 data were collected using mailed surveys 5 years later. General Linear Models were used to predict adolescent-reported disordered eating behaviors at Time 2 from adolescent-reported parenting style at Time 1.

Results: Adolescent boys and girls who had authoritarian mothers at Time 1 had a higher probability of extreme weight control behaviors 5 years later compared to adolescents with authoritative, permissive, or neglectful mothers. Adolescent girls with authoritarian mothers at Time 1 had a higher probability of engaging in binge-eating behaviors at Time 2 compared to adolescent girls with authoritative or permissive mothers. There were no significant associations between paternal parenting style and adolescent disordered eating behaviors. Although authoritarian parenting style served as a possible risk factor for disordered eating behaviors in adolescents, the findings were not conclusive.

Conclusion: Future studies should investigate further the association between parenting style and weight control behaviors in adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Authoritarianism
  • Bulimia / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Parenting / psychology*