1. Results Baseline Differences Between Groups No significant differences were found between ethnic groups on baseline levels of Praise (F = 2.006, p>.05), Monitoring (F = 0.569, p>.05), or on changes in zBMI from baseline to 6-month follow up (F = 0.639, p>.05). See Table 1 for individual group values. Influence of Parenting Variables on Weight Change Stepwise Regression Analyses No significant influence of praise or monitoring on BMIz was found for the full sample (F=0.81, p>.05), Caucasian, or Latino groups. However, among AA youth, praise (β = -0.006, p =.016), but not monitoring independently predicted weight loss in the third step. Further, the interaction between praise and monitoring significantly predicted weight loss (β =.002, p =.007). Parenting Styles, Ethnicity, and Pediatric Obesity Intervention Outcomes Kelsey Borner MA 1,2, William R. Black MA 1,3, Meredith Dreyer Gillette PhD 1,4 Ann Davis, MPH, PhD, ABPP 1,5 Amanda S. Bruce PhD 1,5 1 Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Kansas City, Missouri 2 University of Kansas, Clinical Child Psychology Program, Lawrence, Kansas 3 University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 4 Division of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Mercy-Kansas City 5 Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center Background Parenting styles high in control and warmth (i.e., authoritative) are associated with positive health outcomes among youth. These findings differ by ethnic group, with some evidence to suggest that parenting styles high in control (regardless of warmth) are predictive of better outcomes among African Americans (Dornbusch et al., 1987). No studies have evaluated the effect of overall parenting style on pediatric obesity intervention outcomes. The current study examined the relation between parenting practices and ethnic groups (e.g., AA, Latino, Caucasian), and the effect of parenting practices on pediatric obesity intervention outcomes. Conclusions Parental monitoring and praise were only predictive of outcomes among AA participants. Better BMIz outcomes were associated with more praise. An authoritative style of parenting (high levels of praise and high levels of monitoring) was predictive of best outcomes, which aligns with previous literature. An authoritarian style of parenting (low levels of praise in combination with high levels of monitoring) was predictive of the worst outcomes. This contradicts other literature which indicates that an authoritarian style is associated with better outcomes among AA youth. These results suggest that attention to parenting styles and ethnicity may be important for providing more individualized treatment and better outcomes. Results are limited by a small sample size. Future research should be conducted with larger groups. Acknowledgments We would like to acknowledge funding from the Kenneth and Eva S. Smith Scholar in Pediatric Obesity, PNC Foundation, and Junior League of Kansas City, MO. Methods Procedures: Participants were 139 youth participating in a 6-week family-based group pediatric obesity intervention, Zoom to Health. Zoom to Health targets young children between the ages of 2 and 8. Participating children and parents attend weekly education groups including nutrition education and physical activity. A clinical child psychologist and registered dietician provided services. Parents reported on child’s ethnic identity, and completed study measure at baseline. Children’s height and weight were taken at initial visit and at 6-month follow up using standardized procedures. Measures: Parents completed the Parenting Practices Inventory (Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group, 1996) at baseline. The Praise and Monitoring subscales were used for analyses to capture the constructs “warmth” and “control,” respectively. Child height and weight were used with child age and gender to calculate BMI z- scores at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Participants: Full sample included 139 youths ages 2-8; Mean age = 6.56 (SD=1.57) 58 youths completed follow-up. Mean baseline BMI z-score (BMIz)= 2.64; Mean baseline BMI %ile = 99.14 Female: 56%; Male: 44% male Ethnic identity: African American: n = 48 (34.5%) (Final sample: N = 22; 37.9%) Caucasian: n = 30 (21.6%) (Final sample: N = 13; 22.4% ) Latino: n = 56 (40.3%) (Final sample: N = 23; 39.7%) Data Analysis A one-way ANOVA examined group differences in baseline levels of praise and monitoring, and weight change outcomes (i.e., change in BMIz). A stepwise regression was conducted which included child age and gender in the 1 st step, parental Praise and Monitoring in the 2 nd step, and the interaction between Praise and Monitoring in the 3 rd step; outcome was change in BMIz (6-month). Simple slopes of (+1) and (-1) SD of the mean of each subscale were calculated to further examine interaction effects. Praise and Monitoring subscales were mean-centered for regression and simple slopes analyses. Results Simple Slopes Analysis Among AA youth, high levels of monitoring predicted the largest changes in BMIz when in the context of high levels of praise (BMIz change = 0.29). High levels of monitoring and low levels of praise were predictive of the smallest changes in BMIz (BMIz change = 0.03). Low levels of Monitoring predicted moderate changes in BMIz, regardless of level of Praise (low Monitoring, high Praise: BMIz change = 0.22; low Monitoring, low Praise: BMIz change = 0.24). Full SampleAfrican American CaucasianLatino/a Praise49.28 (10.59)49.36 (9.96)46.07 (8.76)51.23 (11.86) Monitoring31.68 (2.95)31.3 (3.32)32.04 (3.07)31.81 (2.58) Change in BMIz -0.117 (0.20)-0.116 (0.20)-0.069 (0.20)-0.146 (0.20) Table 1. Mean and (standard deviation) values of Praise, Monitoring, and change in BMIz for full sample and individual ethnic groups. BS.E.βp R 2 (Adjusted) Δ R 2 Step 1 0.410 Gender-0.1240.042-0.5690.011 Age-0.0220.013-0.3270.114 Step 2 0.320-0.09 Gender-0.1210.046-.1370.023 Age-0.0220.014-0.3240.146 Monitoring-0.0010.007-0.0430.845 Praise.001.002.075.0731 Step 3 0.6240.304 Gender-0.1020.035-.04690.014 Age-0.0370.012-0.5320.009 Monitoring-0.010.006-0.3070.115 Praise.006.0022.8370.016 Mon. X Praise0.002.0010.8350.007 Table 2. Step-wise regression for African American youths. BMIz is the dependent variable. Change in zBMI References Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group. Parenting Practices Inventory. University of Washington; 1996. Unpublished manuscript. Dornbusch, S. M., Ritter, P. L., Leiderman, P. H., Roberts, D. F., & Fraleigh, M. J. (1987). The relation of parenting style to adolescent school performance. Child development, 1244-1257.