Date of Award

5-31-2024

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Author's Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity prevalence and treatment response are well-documented and may be partially explained by moments of non-adherence to dietary intentions (i.e., dietary lapses). The current study employed a naturalistic design to characterize the frequency and momentary context of parent dietary lapses and explore their effects on child dietary lapses and parent-child weight change among low-income families participating in 3-month family-based behavioral obesity treatment (FBT). 19 parent-child dyads completed 3 separate 1-week periods of ecological momentary assessment to examine socioenvironmental and intrapersonal cues of parent dietary lapses as well as the frequency of parent-child dietary lapses throughout 3-month FBT. Parent and child height and weight were objectively measured at baseline, month 2, and month 3 of FBT. Both parent and child dietary lapses decreased throughout FBT. Within-person parent stress and unhealthy food presence as well as between-person parent hunger and craving predicted a parent dietary lapse. Contrary to study hypotheses, parents who reported more frequent dietary lapses demonstrated greater weight change during FBT, as did their children. Parent lapse severity was not associated with a child lapse. Findings highlight socioenvironmental and intrapersonal targets to support family eating self-regulation, as well as opportunities to optimize FBT for families from low-income households who are at risk for worsened treatment response.

Language

English (en)

Chair and Committee

Denise Wilfley

Committee Members

Thomas Rodebaugh

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