The Association Between Acculturation and Parental Feeding Practices in Families With Overweight and Obese Hispanic/Latino Children

This study examines the association between acculturation and parental feeding practices in low-income Latinos. Overweight/obese children (N = 117), aged 5 to 14 years, and their parents were recruited from a rural health clinic. Findings show that more acculturated parents have greater control over their child's eating behavior (P =.04). Parents who perceive their child as having a weight problem also have more control over their child's eating behavior (P =.02). Control measured from regulation of how much and when the child should eat to offering sweets and screen time for good behavior. Results underscore the need for interventions to consider parental acculturation and perceptions of child weight.