An exploration of how adolescents experience and reason their parents' comments on their weight, shape, and eating

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionDisordered eating among adolescents is of increasing concern given associated physical and mental health sequelae. Cognitions underlying disordered eating are formed in childhood and adolescence. Parents are a significant presence during this period, so it is critical to understand how they influence their adolescent's eating cognitions and behaviors.MethodsQualitative analysis using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology was employed to consider the lived experiences of 10 Australian adolescents (14–19 years), 60% female, as they engaged with their parents in a range of weight, shape, and eating communications.ResultsOur inductive IPA revealed three key themes representing adolescents' experiences and meaning‐making: Parents as Influencers—adolescents acknowledged parents are influencers (objects) within a wider context of community and cultural norms (symbols) and can be protective for peer influence on body image ideals; Expression and Perception—the “what” (weight‐talk as an object) and the “how” (objects as independent influences) of gendered parental communication related to health and fitness ideals and illustrated diverse interpretations of both verbal and non‐verbal expression; and Fertile Soil and Maturity—the adolescent's characteristics and context influence perceptions of communication, a fear of deviating from norms, and an overarching focus on being “healthy” yet not always knowing what that was. Perception of bidirectional communication also offered valuable insights into potential dangers through family loyalty and in‐group permissions.ConclusionsFindings highlight implications for the nuanced influence of parental communication and illustrate the pivotal role of parents within the bioecosystem of adolescent development.