Childhood overweight

Worldwide, childhood overweight is a major concern because of its dramatic increase and prevalence, its persistence into adulthood and its association with a host of negative health outcomes. Parents are the key to their childrenís development of obesogenic behaviors (overconsumption of calories, low levels of physical activity, and high levels of sedentary behavior). Although extensive parenting research has been conducted around the world, conflicting findings have been reported and interventions have had disappointing effects. In this dissertation, literature reviews are conducted and questionnaires are validated to evaluate complex parenting ñ child weight relationships. Conclusions contain important recommendations for theory, research, and practice.