Association Between Family/Neighborhood Cancer Risk Factors and Adolescent Dietary Behaviors: A Parent-Adolescent Dyadic Analysis

Abstract

Objective. This cross-sectional study examined associations between adolescent dietary behaviors and family/home environments with parent-adolescent dyadic analysis. Methods. Secondary data were analyzed for adolescents and their parents who participated in the 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study. Relationships between adolescent and parent intake of convenience/fast-food, fruits/vegetables, and sugar, as well as family/community and mealtime environments, were examined using Pearson’s correlations, 2-sample t tests, analysis of variance, and general linear model analyses. Results. Among this nationwide parent-adolescent dyad sample (N = 1890), a moderate relationship between parent and adolescent consumption of convenience/fast-foods ( r = 0.426) and fruits/vegetables ( r = 0.416) was found. Adolescent convenience/fast-foods intake differed by sex, neighborhood socioeconomic status, meals eaten with family, and meals eaten in front of the TV ( P < .001 for all) as well as race/ethnicity ( P = .004). Adolescent fruit/vegetable intake differed by home location ( P = .029), school location ( P = .032), meals eaten together with family, meals eaten in front of the TV, and body mass index category ( P < .001 for all). Generalized linear models revealed multiple predictors of adolescent dietary behaviors. Conclusion. Findings suggest dynamic relationships between adolescent and parent dietary cancer risk factors and adolescent fruit/vegetable consumption disparities by multiple environmental factors. Interventions targeting adolescent-parent dyads may help reduce cancer risk associated with diet.