PARENTAL INFLUENCE ON ADOLESCENT GIRLS’ EATING BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Introduction: The balanced nutrition of children defines their optimal growth and development. The family plays a key role in the formation of healthy eating habits in childhood. In the last decades an increasing prevalence of alternative diets, significantly differing from healthy nutrition is observed among children and adolescents. This type of dieting creates short and long term health risks. Aim(s): The aim of this article is to represent the role of the family in the formation of adolescent girls' eating behavior. Material(s) and Method(s): A literature review of 14 sources has been made. Result(s): The literature review demonstrates the powerful parental influence on the formation of their descend-ants' eating behavior. Findings indicate that the parental encouragement of dieting to lose weight is related to the earlier shift towards alternative diets among their daughters. There is accumulating evidence for the detrimental effect of controlling feeding practices on children's ability to self-regulate energy intake. Results suggest that the critical comments in the family regarding weight and body shape are associated with body dissatisfaction, unhealthy and extreme weight control behaviors. A lower percentage of alternative dieting and disordered eating behaviors is reported in a family with more frequent family meals and discussions about weight. Conclusion(s): Parents play the role of educators in the life of children modeling their food cognitions and preferences. Appropriate education of parents would be useful to establish healthy family meal patterns and to reduce the risk of developing eating disorders.Copyright © Peytchinski, Gospodin Iliev ET. All rights reserved.