Paternal child-feeding attitudes in relationship to the obese or lean status of their elementary school age son

Abstract

The present study assessed the relationship between the paternal use of food in a contingency manner and the physical status of the respective son. The prevalence of childhood obesity has been documented to be significant in this country (Mayer, 1968; Collipp, 1975; Forbes, 1975; Hafen, 1981). The etiology of the increasing percentages of obese children is based upon a variety of variables. Parental influence on children's eating habits and socioeconomic variables, which influence parents, appeared to be possible factors in the development of childhood obesity.