Houston... We have a problem! Measurement of parenting.

O besity is a dominant child health problem in the United States and virtually worldwide. Obesity in childhood is associated with a number of negative health outcomes, with substantially increased risk of adult obesity. The energy balance model indicates obesity is the result of overconsumption of calories, low levels of physical activity, and high levels of sedentary behavior, mostly high screen time (TV, videos, and videogames). Considerable evidence indicates that parents shape children’s behaviors by influencing the behavior directly, the predisposing psychological variables, or by controlling the child’s environment. Concern has been expressed that one factor contributing to the low efficacy of obesity treatment has been interventions not predicated on an informed understanding of how parents influence child behavior. ‘‘Parenting’’ is the term generally used to explain how a parent influences a child’s behaviors and development. Confusion exists regarding the impact of different aspects of parenting on children’s dietary outcomes. Most studies linking parent–child interactional processes to children’s dietary intake/weight status have focused on either (1) highly controlling food parenting practices (e.g., restriction, pressure to eat) or (2) parenting styles that are considered to be a more stable and overarching description of the approach to parenting. Research on individual food parenting behaviors has largely failed to consider the larger context of their use, i.e., parenting styles. Alternatively, research focusing on parenting styles alone has been limited by a vague understanding of the processes or mechanisms through which global dimensions of parenting shape children’s dietary intake. These problems are compounded by poor theoretical development and inconsistent measurement of feeding constructs. A limitation in this line of research is almost complete reliance on the selfreport of personal behavior. The literature on parenting in regard to physical activity and sedentary behaviors is less ample, but also problematic. As a result, a conference of leading investigators and practitioners was held. The specific aims were to: (1) Have presenters identify innovative approaches to measurement and the strengths and weaknesses in the existing literature on measures of parenting styles and parenting practices in regard to diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior (screen media use); (2) convene four writing groups to write reports that summarize their considerations in regard to advancing measurement of each category of parenting (general style, food, physical activity, screen media); and (3) establish links among investigators to collaboratively develop and validate new measures. To mitigate confusion, the coordinators, presenters and workshop leaders agreed to the following definitions: Parenting style is a constellation of parental attitudes and beliefs toward childrearing, creating an emotional climate through which parental practices are expressed, including the quality of parent–child interactions. Parenting style has two independent dimensions: (1) Demandingness/control, defined as claims that parents make on children to become integrated into society by behavior regulation, direction confrontation, and maturity demand (behavioral control) and supervision of the child’s activities; and (2) responsiveness/nurturance, defined as the extent to which parents foster individuality and selfassertion by being attuned, supportive, and acquiescent to children’s requests including autonomy support and reasoned communication. Crossing the first two dimensions yields four categories of parenting style: (1)