Body Weight, the Home Environment, and Eating Behaviour Across Three Generations of Women: A Quasi‐Longitudinal Study in Four Mediterranean and Non‐Mediterranean Countries

Abstract

ObjectiveA quasi‐longitudinal design was used to explore how changes in the home environment reflect body weight and eating behaviours in three generations of women across two non‐Mediterranean (UK and Australia) and two Mediterranean countries (Greece and Malta).MethodA within‐ and between‐subjects design was used. The within‐subjects factor was generation (daughters, mothers, and grandmothers). The between‐subjects factor was nationality [Mediterranean (Malta, n = 135 and Greece, n = 106) vs non‐Mediterranean (UK, n = 120 and Australia, n = 96]. Body mass index (BMI), eating behaviour, and aspects of the home environment were assessed using questionnaires for family triads.ResultsThere were consistent differences by generation in terms of BMI, eating behaviour, and most aspects of the home environment, with daughters being lighter but reporting less healthy diets in terms of drinks, snacks, meals, and food preparation than either their mothers or grandmothers and a lower endorsement of parental control over food, a lower belief in controlling forms of parenting, and a lower belief in the mothers’ autonomy over their daughter. Further, those from Mediterranean countries were heavier and reported poorer diets and a stricter approach to the home environment. The results also indicate that a shift between the generations was more marked in Mediterranean countries, with more pronounced differences occurring between daughters, their mothers, and grandmothers.ConclusionIncreased weight may be associated with a less managed home environment and poorer eating behaviours, which are particularly apparent in those from Mediterranean countries, where daughters may be reacting against their more controlling family culture.