Utilizing family systems theory to understand adolescent disordered eating behaviors: exploring the implications of triadic family discord

Abstract

Disordered eating behaviors--both unhealthy weight control behaviors and binge eating--are prevalent among adolescents within the United States. Previous literature has relied on single report methodologies to measure adolescents' perspectives of factors associated with disordered eating behaviors, overlooking perspectives of key family members who may add a more complete picture of factors contributing to adolescent disordered eating behaviors. The current study utilizes data from Projects EAT and F-EAT, enabling analysis of adolescent, mother, and father reporting about aspects of the home environment (i.e., family functioning, encouragement of dieting, food insecurity, and support for physical activity) in relation to adolescent disordered eating behaviors. The main objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of concordance and discordance among adolescents, mothers and fathers on home environment factors, and to examine the relationship between concordance/discordance on home environment factors and adolescent disordered eating behaviors. Results, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.