Abstract
In Mexico, one in three children over five years old is overweight. Although strategies to promote healthy eating have been studied, little is known about the effectiveness of parental food rules. This study evaluated the influence of such rules on healthy eating in overweight children and whether children’s eating aligns with their parents’ intake (modeling effect). A mixed experimental design was used with a between-subjects component (type of rule) and a within-subjects component (study phases). The dependent variable was the Healthy Eating Index, which combines type and quantity of food consumed. Nine parent-child dyads (children aged 6–11 years) participated, freely choosing food from a buffet in four phases. Adult interactions promoted healthier eating, especially in the presence of parents; however, this effect did not persist in solitary eating (Me = 2.0 vs. Me = 3.5; Z = -2.98, p = .023, r = 0.29). Additionally, a modeling effect was observed only with parents and without verbal interaction (ρc = .90, 95% CI [.43, .98]). In conclusion, parental food rules have a limited and situational effect, suggesting that additional factors are needed to foster self-regulation in eating behaviors
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