OBJECTIVE: There are conflicting findings regarding the role of non-ge
netic family factors on obesity in children, but specific characterist
ics of the family environment that may influence childhood obesity hav
e not been identified, The purpose of the present study was to explore
the association between mother's adiposity and family environment fac
tors that could influence the child's risk of obesity, primarily throu
gh effects on eating and physical activity behaviors. DESIGN AND MEASU
RES: Cross-sectional, correlational study, Adiposity was estimated by
the sum of mothers' triceps and subscapular skinfolds, Family environm
ent measures were assessed by direct observation and by structured int
erviews with mothers. SUBJECTS: A sample of 347 mothers of preschool c
hildren were assessed. RESULTS: Mother's adiposity was related to mari
tal status, with married mothers having thicker skinfolds, Only two of
23 family environment variables were significantly correlated with mo
ther's adiposity, and both of these variables were related to televisi
on. The demographic and family environment variables accounted for onl
y 4% of the variance in mothers' skinfolds. CONCLUSION: The present st
udy identified few characteristics of the family environment that were
related to mother's adiposity.