Stress is Associated with Adiposity in Parents of Young Children

Objective This study investigated associations between stress (general stress, parenting distress, and household chaos) and adiposity among parents of young children. Methods The sample consisted of 49 mothers and 61 fathers from 70 families with young children living in Ontario, Canada. Linear regression using generalized estimating equations was used to investigate associations between stress measures and BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), and percent fat mass. Results General stress was significantly associated with BMI (β^ = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.04‐1.03) and WC (β^ = 1.44; 95% CI: 0.10‐2.77). Parenting distress was significantly associated with BMI (β^ = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.02‐0.31), WC (β^ = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.04‐0.75), and WHtR (β^ = 0.003; 95% CI: 0.001‐0.005). Household chaos was significantly associated with all adiposity measures (BMI: β^ = 0.20 [95% CI: 0.08‐0.33]; WC: β^ = 0.48 [95% CI: 0.21‐0.75]; WHtR: β^ = 0.003 [95% CI: 0.001‐0.005]; percent fat mass: β^ = 0.29 [95% CI: 0.08‐0.49]). Conclusions General stress, parenting distress, and household chaos are associated with adiposity among parents of young children. Future research should elucidate mechanisms by which this occurs and elucidate how this risk may be mitigated.