High parental perceived stress is associated with increased obesity risk in Spanish children and adolescents
Children of parents with high perceived stress had a higher prevalence of obesity (4.0% vs 1.6%) compared to those with low-stress parents, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI, 1.08-7.06; P = .03). The study also found positive linear associations between parental stress and children's BMI z-score and waist-to-height ratio.
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High parental perceived stress is associated with increased obesity risk in Spanish children and adolescents The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
High parental perceived stress is associated with increased obesity risk in Spanish children and adolescents
This conclusion is most relevant to: 1,023 Spanish children and adolescents (and their parents) from the PASOS study (2019-2020).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Parental Perceived Stress and Its Association With Childhood Obesity in Spain: The PASOS Study. (Preventing chronic disease, 2026) — Children of parents with high perceived stress had a higher prevalence of obesity (4.0% vs 1.6%) compared to those with low-stress parents, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI, 1.08-7.06; P = .03). The study also found positive linear associations between parental stress and children's BMI z-score and waist-to-height ratio.
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸High parental stress may disrupt family routines and health behaviors
- ▸Increased stress may reduce parental capacity to monitor child's diet and activity
- ▸Stress may lead to poorer child sleep, screen time, and dietary quality
- ▸Result: Higher likelihood of childhood obesity
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸1,023 Spanish children and adolescents (and their parents) from the PASOS study (2019-2020)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
- ▸Reliance on self-reported parental stress and potential unmeasured confounders
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main finding of the PASOS study?▼
Higher parental perceived stress was associated with a nearly threefold increased odds of obesity in Spanish children and adolescents.
How was parental stress measured?▼
Parents completed the Perceived Stress Scale, and were classified as low stress (<50th percentile) or high stress (≥50th percentile).
What other factors were adjusted for in the analysis?▼
The analysis adjusted for parents' perception of their own health and children's general fitness.
What is the sample size and study design?▼
The study included 1,023 children and adolescents, using a cross-sectional design from the first wave of the PASOS study (2019-2020).
References
- 1.García S, Ródenas-Munar M, Cereijo L, Sevilla-Sanchez M, Gusi N, Gómez SF, González-Gross M, Wärnberg J, Aznar S, Pulgar S, Serra-Majem L, Martín-Oliveros A, Marín-Cascales E, Fitó M, Carmona-Rosado L, González-Valeiro MÁ, Gomez JS, Berruezo P, Zapico AG, Morales-Gil IM, Martin-Moraleda E, Herrera-Ramos E, Mateos-Lardiés A, Alcaraz PE, Schröder H, Labayen I, Bouzas C, Tur JA. “Parental Perceived Stress and Its Association With Childhood Obesity in Spain: The PASOS Study..” Preventing chronic disease, 2026. PMID: 42390969 DOI: 10.5888/pcd23.260028