The role of attachment security in the intergenerational transmission of obesity: a longitudinal study
This prospective longitudinal study of preschool-aged children (n = 71) and their primary caregivers examined the associations between caregiver weight status, child weight status, and attachment security. I hypothesized that, consistent with previous research, I would find a positive relationship between caregiver and child weight; moreover, I predicted that greater child attachment security would attenuate the link between caregiver and child weight. Findings indicated that although attachment security was not buffering the caregiver-child weight link as hypothesized, it did have a negative, albeit weak, direct effect on child weight. Rather than functioning as a deterrent to this line of work, the mixed support for my hypotheses served as a springboard for thinking about future research. Limitations and a future prospective longitudinal project are discussed.
Attachment, Pediatric obesity, Body mass index (BMI)
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign