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High parental perceived stress is associated with increased obesity risk in Spanish children and adolescents

Q: What other factors were adjusted for in the analysis?

The analysis adjusted for parents' perception of their own health and children's general fitness.

Q: 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).

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.

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100

Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆

Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆

Mechanism★★★★★

Safety★★★★☆

Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Parental Perceived Stress and Its Association With Childhood Obesity in Spain: The PASOS Study.

observational

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 · Preventing chronic disease (2026)

Participants: 1023

Duration: N/A

Intervention: Parental perceived stress (high vs low, based on Perceived Stress Scale median split)

Outcome: Childhood obesity prevalence, BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio

Effect Size: Adjusted OR = 2.76 (95% CI, 1.08-7.06)

Population: 1,023 Spanish children and adolescents (and their parents) from the PASOS study (2019-2020)

Result: 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.

PubMed: 42390969 DOI: 10.5888/pcd23.260028

Mechanism Graph

High parental stress may disrupt family routines and health behaviors

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Increased stress may reduce parental capacity to monitor child's diet and activity

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Stress may lead to poorer child sleep, screen time, and dietary quality

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Result: Higher likelihood of childhood obesity

Limitations

⚠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).

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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

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.