Abstract
Developmentally relevant high-risk dietary situations (e.g., parties where tempting foods are available) may influence overweight
youth’s weight control, as they increase risk for overeating. Better self-efficacy for coping with these situations—which
preadolescents may learn from their parents—could foster successful weight control. Overweight preadolescents (N = 204) ages 7–12 years (67% female), each with one parent, separately completed the Hypothetical High-Risk Situation Inventory
(HHRSI) pre- and post-weight loss treatment. The HHRSI assesses temptation to overeat and confidence in refraining from overeating
in response to four high-risk dietary scenarios. Participants generated coping strategies for each scenario. Coping strategies
and confidence increased and temptation decreased from pre- to post-weight loss treatment. Parents’ increase in confidence
from pre- to post-treatment was associated with preadolescents’ and parents’ weight loss. Tailoring treatments to enhance
parents’ coping skills (e.g., building strategies, targeting high temptation/low confidence scenarios) may maximize preadolescents’
weight control.
youth’s weight control, as they increase risk for overeating. Better self-efficacy for coping with these situations—which
preadolescents may learn from their parents—could foster successful weight control. Overweight preadolescents (N = 204) ages 7–12 years (67% female), each with one parent, separately completed the Hypothetical High-Risk Situation Inventory
(HHRSI) pre- and post-weight loss treatment. The HHRSI assesses temptation to overeat and confidence in refraining from overeating
in response to four high-risk dietary scenarios. Participants generated coping strategies for each scenario. Coping strategies
and confidence increased and temptation decreased from pre- to post-weight loss treatment. Parents’ increase in confidence
from pre- to post-treatment was associated with preadolescents’ and parents’ weight loss. Tailoring treatments to enhance
parents’ coping skills (e.g., building strategies, targeting high temptation/low confidence scenarios) may maximize preadolescents’
weight control.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Empirical Research
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9728-5
- Authors
- Kelly R. Theim, Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Meghan M. Sinton, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Richard I. Stein, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Brian E. Saelens, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sucheta C. Thekkedam, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- R. Robinson Welch, Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Leonard H. Epstein, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Denise E. Wilfley, Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891