Associations between Mother’s BMI, Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Availability, and Child’s Body Shape as Reported by Women Responding to an Annual Survey

Abstract

Previous evidence indicates that a child’s body mass index (BMI) and eating behaviors are often related to the BMI and eating behaviors of his/her parents. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that fruit and vegetable intake may impart weight control benefits. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mother’s BMI and the intake/availability of fruits and vegetables in the home, as well as mother’s perceived body shape of her child. This is a cross sectional, descriptive analysis of results from a large internet-based survey of Generation X and Y mothers evaluating the role of fruit and vegetable consumption and health behaviors in US families. Mothers (n = 1469) with children under the age of 18 living in the home reported her BMI, her fruit and vegetable intake, and fruit and vegetable availability in the home. Additionally, mothers with children between the ages of 2 and 12 (n = 1177) reported her child’s body shape (using graduated images of children ranging from the 3rd - 97th percentiles of BMI). Mother’s BMI was not related to fruit or vegetable intake, though it was inversely related to fruit, but not vegetable, availability in the home. Mother’s BMI was also positively related to child’s body shape, and mother’s fruit, but not vegetable, intake was inversely related to child’s body shape. Our findings support a potential role for fruit availability promoting healthy BMI in mothers and/or healthier body shape in their children.