Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices Associated with Overweight and Obesity in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Özdemir E. Z., Bektaş M.

CHILDREN (BASEL), cilt.13, sa.123, ss.1-12, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 13 Sayı: 123
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/children13010123
  • Dergi Adı: CHILDREN (BASEL)
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-12
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Childhood overweight and obesity are influenced by family-level

behaviors related to nutrition, physical activity, and daily routines. This study aimed to In

contrast to screen time family nutrition and physical activity practices for overweight and

obesity among children aged 6–17 years in Türkiye. Methods: A cross-sectional study was

conducted with 214 children recruited from a community setting. Sociodemographic data

and anthropometric measurements were collected, and family practices were assessed using

the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Scale–Turkish version (FNPA-TR). Binary logistic

regression analyses were performed separately for overweight and obesity outcomes.

Results: Healthier beverage choices were the only significant predictor of overweight,

reducing the odds by 62%. Obesity was predicted by three FNPA domains: family meal

frequency, family eating habits, and screen time. Frequent family meals and healthier eating

habits were associated with lower obesity risk, whereas higher screen exposure increased

the likelihood of obesity. Conclusions: Beverage choices, family meal patterns, eating

habits, and screen exposure emerged as key behavioral predictors of unhealthy weight

status in children. These findings highlight key family-centered prevention targets for

pediatric nursing and public health, including promoting healthy beverage consumption,

strengthening structured family eating routines, and reducing screen exposure in children.

Keywords: childhood obesity; overweight; family nutrition and physical activity (FNPA);

feeding behavior; physical activity; screen time; family environment