Obesogenic family types identified through latent profile analysis

Abstract

Background: Obesity may cluster in families due to shared physical and social environments. Purpose: This study aims to identify family typologies of obesity risk based on family environments. Methods: Using 2007-2008 data from 706 parent/youth dyads in Minnesota, we applied latent profile analysis and general linear models to evaluate associations between family typologies and body mass index (BMI) of youth and parents. Results: Three typologies described most families with 18.8% "Unenriched/Obesogenic," 16.9% "Risky Consumer," and 64.3% "Healthy Consumer/Salutogenic." After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors, parent BMI and youth BMI Z-scores were higher in unenriched/obesogenic families (BMI difference=2.7, p<0.01 and BMI Z-score difference=0.51, p<0.01, respectively) relative to the healthy consumer/salutogenic typology. In contrast, parent BMI and youth BMI Z-scores were similar in the risky consumer families relative to those in healthy consumer/salutogenic type. Conclusions: We can identify family types differing in obesity risks with implications for public health interventions. © 2011 The Society of Behavioral Medicine.