Implications of Insecure Parent-Child Attachment for Early Childhood Obesity Risk

Project Information

Abstract

Obesity is a prominent public health concern that affects even very young children. The importance of preventing obesity during early childhood is reflected at the national level in the 2010 White House Task Force Report, “Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation” and in two recent Institute of Medicine reports.

Many knowledge gaps exist in relation to social and behavioral factors operating during the first two years of life, a critical period in the development of obesity. One potential early life risk factor that has received little attention in the obesity prevention literature is attachment security. Formation of a secure attachment pattern is a critical milestone of early development that provides the foundation for positive psychological and health-related outcomes throughout the lifespan.

Recently, a study with a large, nationally representative U.S. sample found that the prevalence of obesity was 23.1 percent in preschoolers with a history of insecure attachment and 16.6 percent in those with secure attachment. Importantly, insecure attachment predicted an increased risk for obesity even after controlling for other risk factors such as maternal BMI and sociodemographic characteristics.

Given this relevant emerging finding and limited research, there is a critical need to build the evidence base linking attachment insecurity with obesity risk during the first two years of life. Additionally, research investigating how or when this risk factor may result in excessive weight gain could help to inform interventions.

This research project will provide preliminary data related to: