Findings from University of Colorado Yields New Findings on Pediatrics (Do Parents Engage In Weight- and Health-focused Conversations With Their Emerging Adult Children and Are There Cross-sectional Associations With Weight and Well-being...).

A study conducted by the University of Colorado found that parental conversations focused on weight and health behaviors can have harmful associations with pediatric health and well-being. The research, which used data from a population-based survey of emerging adults aged 18-26, revealed that over two-thirds of mothers and 44% of fathers engaged in weight-focused conversations with their adult children. These weight-focused conversations were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating behaviors in emerging adults. On the other hand, conversations focused on health behaviors were associated with positive outcomes such as lower BMI, higher intake of fruits and vegetables, and better psychosocial well-being. The study suggests the need for public health messaging and interventions to reduce parental weight talk with emerging adult children. [Extracted from the article]