Background: Family-based intervention is considered the best approach to pediatric weight management. Evidence suggests that family factors, such as family functioning, parenting, and stress are ...associated with child weight. This study's objective is to determine the association between family factors and child weight in treatmentseeking families. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a four-site study of attrition from pediatric weight management programs. Parent and child self-reported measures included: family function, family health habits, family relationships, parenting, parent health and child/ parent stress. Child weight status was defined by % of the 95th %ile BMI and obesity class (I, II, III). Results: 323 parent-child dyads were enrolled (child age 12.1 ± 2.7 years, 52% female; child % of the 95th %ile 146 ± 26%; 59% government insurance, 58% racial minority, 20% Hispanic). Less healthy family meal patterns, eating habits, home environment, and activity were associated with higher child weight status (p<.05), but beverage/food choices and restriction/reward behaviors had no association. Parent health quality was not associated with higher child weight, except for higher parent fatigue, pain, and weight. Family functioning/relationships, home chaos, child report of parenting behaviors and family relationships, and parent/child stress had no association with child weight status. Conclusions: Some family health habits and higher parent fatigue, pain and weight were associated with higher child weight status; family function, parenting, and other family factors were not. Further investigation of the relationship between family factors and child weight and health may support pediatric weight management efforts.
