Publication Date

2014

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Umoren, Josephine M.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences

LCSH

College students--Nutrition--Study and teaching; Parenting--Study and teaching; Nutrition

Abstract

Research suggests that parenting style has long-term implications on the emotional and behavioral development of children. The current study investigated the influence of parenting style on dietary behaviors beyond adolescence by examining the relationships between perceived parenting style, self-efficacy for fruit and vegetable consumption, and weight status among 227 college students living in campus residences. Spearman's rank-order correlations, linear regression, and independent sample t-test statistical analyses were used to test the hypothesis. Results demonstrated that authoritative parenting was positively correlated with self-efficacy for fruit and vegetable consumption (p < .01) and authoritarian parenting was positively correlated with body mass index (p = .04). Post-hoc analysis also indicated that family meal frequency was positively associated with authoritative parenting (p <.01) and negatively associated with BMI (p <.01). These results suggest that parenting style continues to influence nutrition and weight status into adulthood, even when children are no longer living at home. Future studies should continue to explore how remembered parenting style influences nutrition in adulthood, with incorporation of a quantitative measure of dietary intake. Additionally, longitudinal research is needed to provide insight into the relationship between parenting style and weight status throughout the lifespan.

Comments

Advisors: Josephine Umoren.||Committee members: Sheila Barrett; Linda Derscheid; Jane Rose Njue.

Extent

140 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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