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The Mediator and/or Moderator Role of Complexity of Knowledge about Healthy Eating and Self-Regulated Behavior on the Relation between Family’s Income and Children’s Obesity

Author

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  • Beatriz Pereira

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Pedro Rosário

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Cátia Silva

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Gabriela Figueiredo

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • José Carlos Núñez

    (Department of Psychology, Universidad de Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n. 33003 Oviedo, Spain
    Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad Politécnica y Artística de Paraguay, Mayor Sebastián Bullo s/n, Asunción 1628, Paraguay)

  • Paula Magalhães

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

Abstract

Childhood obesity rates have been increasing over the years and is considered one of the most serious public health problems of the century. Low socioeconomic status has been associated with a higher body mass index. However, the pathways underlying this complex relationship are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the possible mediation and/or moderation effects of complexity of knowledge about healthy eating, and self-regulation processes towards healthy eating, in the association between family’s income and weight of elementary school age children. The results showed that complexity of knowledge does not mediate the relationship between socioeconomic status and weight. Still, whenever the levels of complexity of knowledge and self-regulation are high, there is a moderation effect of complexity of knowledge on the relationship between family’s income and weight, conditioned by self-regulation scores. These promising findings support the idea that knowledge about healthy eating in isolation could be insufficient for practicing a healthy diet and underline the relevance of combining transmission of knowledge with training in specific competences (e.g., self-regulation strategies). Considering that complexity of knowledge about healthy eating and self-regulation strategies are interrelated and can be both improved, future preventive interventions could consider incorporating both in their design to mitigate childhood obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatriz Pereira & Pedro Rosário & Cátia Silva & Gabriela Figueiredo & José Carlos Núñez & Paula Magalhães, 2019. "The Mediator and/or Moderator Role of Complexity of Knowledge about Healthy Eating and Self-Regulated Behavior on the Relation between Family’s Income and Children’s Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4207-:d:281701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:pri:cheawb:case_paxson_economic_status_paper is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:pri:cheawb:case_paxson_economic_status_paper.pdf is not listed on IDEAS
    3. John Cawley & Chad Meyerhoefer & Adam Biener & Mette Hammer & Neil Wintfeld, 2015. "Savings in Medical Expenditures Associated with Reductions in Body Mass Index Among US Adults with Obesity, by Diabetes Status," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 33(7), pages 707-722, July.
    4. Anne Case & Darren Lubotsky & Christina Paxson, 2002. "Economic Status and Health in Childhood: The Origins of the Gradient," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(5), pages 1308-1334, December.
    5. Drewnowski, A. & Darmon, N. & Briend, A., 2004. "Replacing fats and sweets with vegetables and fruits - A question of cost," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(9), pages 1555-1559.
    6. Murasko, Jason E., 2009. "Socioeconomic status, height, and obesity in children," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 376-386, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cátia Silva & Beatriz Pereira & Gabriela Figueiredo & Pedro Rosário & José Carlos Núñez & Paula Magalhães, 2023. "Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children: A Validation Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Beatriz Pereira & Pedro Rosário & José Carlos Núñez & Daniela Rosendo & Cristina Roces & Paula Magalhães, 2021. "Food Availability, Motivational-Related Factors, and Food Consumption: A Path Model Study with Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.

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