The Relationship of Parenting Styles and Obesity with Special Needs Children
Mentor 1
Michele Polfuss
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
27-4-2018 1:00 PM
Description
Children with special needs have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to typically developing children (TD). Parenting styles in TD children are related to the child’s weight. The relationship of parenting styles to a child’s weight status has not been studied in children with special needs. Study aims: 1.) Examine parenting styles used by parents of children with Spina Bifida (SB) and Autism. 2.) Examine the relationship of parenting styles to child’s weight status and determine if different based on child’s gender. This cross-sectional study included 330 parents of children with SB or Autism. This sample was recruited nationally by parent groups and organizations. Participants completed an online survey including the 32-item Parenting Styles and Dimension Questionnaire regarding parenting and self-reported their child’s height and weight. Descriptive analysis and ANOVA were used to explore relationships between parenting style and child’s weight status and child gender. Parents of children with SB (n = 164) and Autism (n = 166) demonstrated similar parenting styles with the majority exhibiting authoritative (M = 4.11) followed by permissive (M = 2.26) and authoritarian (M = 1.67). Children (male = 230; female 100) had similar rates of overweight/obesity: SB = 33.4%, Autism = 38.6%. No significant differences between the child’s weight category based on the parenting styles (authoritative p = .597; authoritarian p = .513; permissive p = .090). Permissive parenting was increased in obese male children as compared to the normal/healthy weight child (p = .042), but effect was small (.037). Authoritative parenting was primarily used. Although no relationship between parenting styles and child’s weight was present, a difference in parenting style for obese males was evident but only small effect. Further research should examine other factors that may influence weight status in children with special needs.
The Relationship of Parenting Styles and Obesity with Special Needs Children
Union Wisconsin Room
Children with special needs have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to typically developing children (TD). Parenting styles in TD children are related to the child’s weight. The relationship of parenting styles to a child’s weight status has not been studied in children with special needs. Study aims: 1.) Examine parenting styles used by parents of children with Spina Bifida (SB) and Autism. 2.) Examine the relationship of parenting styles to child’s weight status and determine if different based on child’s gender. This cross-sectional study included 330 parents of children with SB or Autism. This sample was recruited nationally by parent groups and organizations. Participants completed an online survey including the 32-item Parenting Styles and Dimension Questionnaire regarding parenting and self-reported their child’s height and weight. Descriptive analysis and ANOVA were used to explore relationships between parenting style and child’s weight status and child gender. Parents of children with SB (n = 164) and Autism (n = 166) demonstrated similar parenting styles with the majority exhibiting authoritative (M = 4.11) followed by permissive (M = 2.26) and authoritarian (M = 1.67). Children (male = 230; female 100) had similar rates of overweight/obesity: SB = 33.4%, Autism = 38.6%. No significant differences between the child’s weight category based on the parenting styles (authoritative p = .597; authoritarian p = .513; permissive p = .090). Permissive parenting was increased in obese male children as compared to the normal/healthy weight child (p = .042), but effect was small (.037). Authoritative parenting was primarily used. Although no relationship between parenting styles and child’s weight was present, a difference in parenting style for obese males was evident but only small effect. Further research should examine other factors that may influence weight status in children with special needs.
