The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review

Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity and being overweight are influenced by the family environment, diet, sleep, and mental health, with parents playing a key role in shaping behaviors through routines and practices. Healthy parental habits can encourage positive outcomes, while poor routine...

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Main Authors: Cátia Maia, Diogo Braz, Helder Miguel Fernandes, Hugo Sarmento, Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/2/203
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author Cátia Maia
Diogo Braz
Helder Miguel Fernandes
Hugo Sarmento
Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues
author_facet Cátia Maia
Diogo Braz
Helder Miguel Fernandes
Hugo Sarmento
Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues
author_sort Cátia Maia
collection DOAJ
description Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity and being overweight are influenced by the family environment, diet, sleep, and mental health, with parents playing a key role in shaping behaviors through routines and practices. Healthy parental habits can encourage positive outcomes, while poor routines and stress often lead to unhealthy weight gain. This study analyzed the impact of parental behaviors on children’s lifestyles and habits, as well as the trend and intensity of the effect of these behaviors on different age groups. Methods: A systematic review of 1504 articles from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and APA PsycNet (as of 22 July 2024) included studies on parents and children aged 4–18 years, focusing on physical activity, sleep, screen time, nutrition, and mental health. Twenty-six studies were analyzed, including 19 cross-sectional and 7 longitudinal studies. The outcomes included physical activity, sedentary behaviors, eating and sleeping habits, mental health, and BMI. Bias was assessed using JBI tools according to the GRADE framework and Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment. Results: The studies involved 89,545 youths and 13,856 parents. The key findings revealed associations between parental physical activity, sleep, dietary habits, mental health, screen time, and their children’s BMIs. Parenting styles significantly influence children’s behaviors. This review highlights the crucial influence of parenting styles and behaviors on children’s physical activity, diet, sleep, and mental health, emphasizing the link between family dynamics and childhood obesity. The findings stress the importance of targeting parental habits in interventions focused on healthy routines and stress management. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine causality, while research involving diverse populations is essential to enhance the applicability of these findings.
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spelling doaj-art-da810fe425bf4a30bdbb0d293d7b0c182025-08-20T02:44:35ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-02-0112220310.3390/children12020203The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping ReviewCátia Maia0Diogo Braz1Helder Miguel Fernandes2Hugo Sarmento3Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues4University of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3040-248 Coimbra, PortugalUniversity of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3040-248 Coimbra, PortugalSchool of Education, Communication and Sports, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, PortugalUniversity of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3040-248 Coimbra, PortugalUniversity of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3040-248 Coimbra, PortugalBackground and Objectives: Childhood obesity and being overweight are influenced by the family environment, diet, sleep, and mental health, with parents playing a key role in shaping behaviors through routines and practices. Healthy parental habits can encourage positive outcomes, while poor routines and stress often lead to unhealthy weight gain. This study analyzed the impact of parental behaviors on children’s lifestyles and habits, as well as the trend and intensity of the effect of these behaviors on different age groups. Methods: A systematic review of 1504 articles from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and APA PsycNet (as of 22 July 2024) included studies on parents and children aged 4–18 years, focusing on physical activity, sleep, screen time, nutrition, and mental health. Twenty-six studies were analyzed, including 19 cross-sectional and 7 longitudinal studies. The outcomes included physical activity, sedentary behaviors, eating and sleeping habits, mental health, and BMI. Bias was assessed using JBI tools according to the GRADE framework and Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment. Results: The studies involved 89,545 youths and 13,856 parents. The key findings revealed associations between parental physical activity, sleep, dietary habits, mental health, screen time, and their children’s BMIs. Parenting styles significantly influence children’s behaviors. This review highlights the crucial influence of parenting styles and behaviors on children’s physical activity, diet, sleep, and mental health, emphasizing the link between family dynamics and childhood obesity. The findings stress the importance of targeting parental habits in interventions focused on healthy routines and stress management. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine causality, while research involving diverse populations is essential to enhance the applicability of these findings.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/2/203lifestylesmental healthoverweightobesityyouthsfamilies
spellingShingle Cátia Maia
Diogo Braz
Helder Miguel Fernandes
Hugo Sarmento
Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues
The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review
Children
lifestyles
mental health
overweight
obesity
youths
families
title The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review
title_full The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review
title_fullStr The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review
title_short The Impact of Parental Behaviors on Children’s Lifestyle, Dietary Habits, Screen Time, Sleep Patterns, Mental Health, and BMI: A Scoping Review
title_sort impact of parental behaviors on children s lifestyle dietary habits screen time sleep patterns mental health and bmi a scoping review
topic lifestyles
mental health
overweight
obesity
youths
families
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/2/203
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