Graduation Year
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
Major Professor
Marilyn Stern, Ph.D.
Co-Major Professor
Christina Dillahunt-Aspillaga, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Tammy Jorgensen Smith, Ph.D
Committee Member
Celia Lescano, Ph.D.
Keywords
obesity, pediatric, health, families
Abstract
The obesity epidemic among children and adolescents has been growing rapidly over the past 10 years, particularly in Latino children. Multiple researchers have found support for positive associations between parent-child communication and healthy nutrition and exercise behaviors. The present study examined the relations between parent-adolescent communication and parenting style and the dietary and exercise behaviors of Latino adolescents. The study included 79 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years and their parents (100% are Latino). Correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine which parenting style and communication variables are significantly associated with adolescents’ dietary and physical activity behaviors. Based on the Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analyses, parent reported ‘problems in communication’ was the only variable significantly associated with adolescents’ fast food intake. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the value of considering family functioning in childhood obesity research and including the family in childhood obesity interventions.
Scholar Commons Citation
Boone, Dianna Mary, "The Effects of Parent-Adolescent Communication and Parenting Style on the Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors of Latino Adolescents" (2015). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5914
