Influence of Perceived Economic Strain on the Relationship Between Caregiver BMI and Child BMI

As maternal BMI is a risk factor for higher child BMI, this exploratory study investigated perceived economic strain as a protective factor modifying this well-established relationship. Primary low-income female caregivers ( n  = 432 ) of preschoolers ages 3–5 years were interviewed using the Family...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of family and economic issues 2016-06, Vol.37 (2), p.172-181
Main Authors: Hayes, Jenna T., VanBrackle, Angela, Sigman-Grant, Madeleine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Body mass index
Caregivers
Caring
Children & youth
Childrens health
Economic impact
Economics
Employment
Ethnicity
Families & family life
Family
Food
Hispanic Americans
Influence
Low income groups
Obesity
Original Paper
Overweight
Parents & parenting
Perception
Perceptions
Personality and Social Psychology
Risk factors
Social Policy
Social Sciences
Socioeconomic factors
Sociology
Stress
Studies
United States
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Summary:As maternal BMI is a risk factor for higher child BMI, this exploratory study investigated perceived economic strain as a protective factor modifying this well-established relationship. Primary low-income female caregivers ( n  = 432 ) of preschoolers ages 3–5 years were interviewed using the Family Economic Strain Scale. Caregiver and child heights and weights were measured. Significant differences were found in perceived economic strain between normal versus underweight, overweight, and obese caregivers. A moderating effect approaching significance was noted such that at low levels of reported economic strain, caregiver BMI classification had no effect on child BMI z-score for normal weight, overweight, or obese caregivers. This study is the first to demonstrate that reduced perception of economic strain may act to buffer the impact of maternal overweight/obesity on child weight status. Given this biologically strong relationship, the potential for any modifiable factor to be detected is encouraging. Further collaborative research between economists and family resiliency researchers is suggested.
ISSN:1058-0476
1573-3475
DOI:10.1007/s10834-015-9468-x