Maternal practices and perceptions of child body mass status explain child energy expenditure behaviors and body mass

This study investigated whether maternal perceptions of child body mass status would predict child body mass index (BMI) z-score via two sets of sequential mediators: (1) four maternal practices promoting child energy expenditure and (2) children’s energy expenditure behaviors. The data of N = 729 mother–child dyads were collected at baseline [T1; n = 495 at 7- to 8-month follow-up (T2)]. Mothers reported perceptions of child body mass status and maternal practices (T1); children reported sedentary screen use and physical activity (T1, T2). Child body mass was assessed objectively (T1, T2). Higher stimulation to be active (T1) was related to a lower child BMI z-score (T2) via higher levels of child physical activity (T2). Higher levels of monitoring of screen use (T1) were associated with higher child BMI z-score (T2) via lower levels of child physical activity (T2). Encouraging parents to stimulate their children to be active may be beneficial for children’s weight maintenance. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10865-020-00138-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.