How beliefs about weight malleability and risk perceptions for obesity influence parents' information seeking and feeding

This study surveyed 185 parents to determine whether their perceived risk of their child developing obesity and their implicit theories about the malleability of weight independently and/or interactively predict their child-feeding and pursuit of child-related obesity risk information. Higher risk perceptions were associated with healthier feeding intentions and more information seeking. More incremental (malleable) beliefs predicted healthier feeding intentions and greater pursuit of environmental, but not genetic, information. Contrary to hypotheses, the influence of implicit theories and risk perceptions were primarily independent; however, more incremental beliefs predicted less junk food feeding among only parents with lower perceived risk.

Automated summary

Parental risk perceptions and beliefs about the malleability of weight are associated with feeding intentions and information seeking behavior regarding child obesity. Incremental beliefs predict healthier feeding intentions and greater pursuit of environmental information, but not genetic information. The influence of implicit theories and risk perceptions is primarily independent, however, incremental beliefs predict less junk food feeding among parents with lower perceived risk.