Document Type
Article
Department/Program
Psychology
Journal Title
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
Pub Date
2012
Volume
41
Issue
1
First Page
86
Abstract
Developmentally relevant high-risk dietary situations (e.g., parties where tempting foods are available) may influence overweight youth's weight control, as they increase risk for overeating. Better self-efficacy for coping with these situations-which preadolescents may learn from their parents-could foster successful weight control. Overweight preadolescents (N = 204) ages 7-12 years (67% female), each with one parent, separately completed the Hypothetical High-Risk Situation Inventory (HHRSI) pre- and post-weight loss treatment. The HHRSI assesses temptation to overeat and confidence in refraining from overeating in response to four high-risk dietary scenarios. Participants generated coping strategies for each scenario. Coping strategies and confidence increased and temptation decreased from pre- to post-weight loss treatment. Parents' increase in confidence from pre- to post-treatment was associated with preadolescents' and parents' weight loss. Tailoring treatments to enhance parents' coping skills (e.g., building strategies, targeting high temptation/low confidence scenarios) may maximize preadolescents' weight control.
Recommended Citation
Sinton, Meghan M.; Welch, R. Robinson; Wilfley, Denise E.; and Sinton, Meghan M., Preadolescents' and Parents' Dietary Coping Efficacy During Behavioral Family-Based Weight Control Treatment (2012). Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41(1), 86-97.
10.1007/s10964-011-9728-5
DOI
10.1007/s10964-011-9728-5