Models of health: Exploring memorable messages received from parents about diet and exercise

Abstract

As obesity is an increasingly vital health issue in the United States, this study aims to understand the memorable messages about diet and exercise received from parents throughout adolescence. Previous research suggests that parental messages continue to influence children's beliefs, behaviors, and development long after they have left home. This study utilizes a qualitative research design to explore health-related memorable messages shared in 12 focus groups including 77 women ages 20–57. A myriad of memorable messages and modeled behaviors was reported representing three parenting styles: parental critic, parental professor, and parental protector. Results suggest that memorable messages are associated with parenting styles and family environment may influence message interpretation. Theoretical and practical implications for scholars and health educators are discussed along with directions for future research.

Keywords:

• Communication
• Family
• Memorable messages
• Obesity

Disclaimer statements

Contributors All authors were contributors to the collection, analysis, and write up of the data.

Funding None.

Conflicts of interest None.

Ethics approval This research was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, USA.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Dorrance Hall

Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, PhD (Purdue University), is an assistant professor of communication studies at Utah State University.

Amanda Ruth-McSwain

Amanda Ruth-McSwain, PhD (University of Florida), is associate professor of communication at the College of Charleston.

Merissa Ferrara

Merissa Ferrara, PhD (Michigan State University) is associate professor of communication at the College of Charleston.