Studying intergenerational transmission of eating attitudes and behaviors:Methodological and conceptual questions

Associations between parent and child attitudes and behaviors related to ea ting and weight were examined among college-age men and women and their mot hers and fathers (ns = 44, 47, 87, and 66, respectively). Parent attitudes and behaviors were assessed from the perspective of the parent and the stud ent, and 2 pathways of influence were examined: modeling and direct critici sm. In general, students' attitudes and behaviors were more strongly relate d to perceptions of their parents rather than to parents' own self-reports. There was more support for perceived direct criticism as a pathway of infl uence, particularly for daughters. Perceived criticism about eating and app earance had large associations with student attitudes and behaviors. Weight loss behavior was related to perceived criticism among daughters and to pe rceived paternal eating attitudes among sons. Results highlight important m ethodological and conceptual questions for intergenerational research.