Influence of peers and friends on children's and adolescents' eating and activity behaviors

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.03.022

Physiology & Behavior

Volume 106, Issue 3, 6 June 2012, Pages 369-378

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.03.022 Get rights and content

Abstract

Obesity during childhood and adolescence is a growing problem in the United States, Canada, and around the world that leads to significant physical, psychological, and social consequences. Peer experiences have been theoretically and empirically related to the “Big Two” contributors to the obesity epidemic, unhealthy eating and physical inactivity [1]. In this article, we synthesize the empirical literature on the influence of peers and friends on youth's eating and physical activity. Limitations and issues in the theoretical and empirical literatures are also discussed, along with future research directions. In conclusion, we argue that the involvement of children's and adolescents' peer networks in prevention and intervention efforts may be critical for promoting and maintaining positive behavioral health trajectories. However, further theoretical and empirical work is needed to better understand the specific mechanisms underlying the effects of peers on youth's eating and physical activity.

Highlights

► Dearth of theoretical work on social determinants of eating and activities. ► Peers/friends facilitate intake, except when social-evaluative concerns are high. ► Positive peer relationships foster involvement in physical activity. ► Aloneness and peer difficulties deter youth from being physically active.

Section snippets

Peer influences on eating and physical activity during childhood and adolescence

Research on the effects of peer influence on youths' eating and physical activity has been proliferating over the last decade. Although this work has generated evidence demonstrating that peers, friends, and broader social networks influence eating and physical activity during childhood and adolescence, the research conducted has been largely atheoretical. This is especially true for the research on peers and physical activity. Thus, we first review three theoretical mechanisms, and supporting

Social facilitation of eating and activities

In its earliest conceptualization, social facilitation theory described an increase in performance as a result of the presence of others [37]. Most recently, it has been argued that it is the evaluation [38], [39], [40] or the degree of cognitive overload [41] that occurs when in the company of others that serves as a source of arousal, subsequently leading to impaired performance on complex or difficult tasks [42], [43]. In its application to eating and physical activity research, social

Modeling of eating and physical activity

Whereas most social facilitation studies focus on the ways in which the presence of others impacts behavior, researchers have also argued that people directly adjust their behavior to that of others. This process is often referred to as social modeling by Bandura and other social learning theorists (e.g., [86]), who view this as a cognitive process whereby individuals form beliefs and attitudes about the behaviors they observe in others, which in turn shapes their own behavior.

Impression management on eating and physical activity

While studies on social facilitation and modeling generally describe changes in individuals' behaviors when in the presence of others, impression management studies seek to explain individuals' motivations to behave when in the company of others [29]. The general idea is that individuals consciously or unconsciously attempt to control the impressions that other people form by regulating information and their self-presentation [111].

Eating

The literatures reviewed above clearly show that peers impact eating and physical activity during childhood and adolescence, but also demonstrate that they are complex and that the direction of the influence (i.e. increase vs. decrease) depends on a variety of factors (e.g., nature of the relationship with the companion, what that companion is doing). In an attempt to achieve some integration between the three explanatory mechanisms of social influences of eating, Herman and his colleagues [29]

Conclusions, implications, and future research

This review provides a brief overview of the research on peer influences on children and adolescents' eating and physical activity. There is no question that peers and friends impact eating and physical activity. However, understanding how peers and friends influence youths' eating and activity behavior is essential to most effectively translate knowledge into efficacious prevention and intervention efforts. This review reveals some clear patterns delineating when and how impact eating peers

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ReviewInfluence of peers and friends on children's and adolescents' eating and activity behaviors

Abstract

Highlights

Section snippets

Peer influences on eating and physical activity during childhood and adolescence

Social facilitation of eating and activities

Modeling of eating and physical activity

Impression management on eating and physical activity

Eating

Conclusions, implications, and future research

J Exp Soc Psychol

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

Physiol Behav

Eat Behav

BMC Public Health

Pediatrics

J Am Med Assoc

Prev Med

Int J Obes (Lond)

Obes Res

Pediatr Clin North Am

Psychol Bull

Appetite

Br J Nutr

Physiol Behav

Physiol Behav

Appetite

Appetite

Appetite

Appetite

Arch Dis Child

Br J Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

J Pediatr Psychol

J Pediatr Psychol

PLoS One

Appetite

Appetite

Appetite

Eat Behav

Appetite

Appetite

J Am Diet Assoc

Eur J Clin Nutr

Expert committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report

Pediatrics

Prevalence of high body mass index in US children and adolescents, 2007–2008

JAMA

Prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance among children and adolescents with marked obesity

N Engl J Med

Cardiovascular risk in 26,008 European overweight children as established by a multicenter database

Obesity

Heavy episodic drinking and alcohol consumption in French colleges: the role of perceived social norms

Alcohol Clin Exp Res

Predicting adolescent eating and activity behaviors: the role of social norms and personal agency

Health Psychol

Determinants of healthy eating: motivation, abilities and environmental opportunities

Fam Pract

Do you see what I see? Weight status misperception and exposure to obesity among children and adolescents

Int J Obes

Reflections on expert consensus: a case study of the social trends contributing to obesity

Eur J Public Health

The increasing prevalence of snacking among US children from 1977 to 1996

J Pediatr

Childhood obesity

Lancet

Adolescent health psychology

J Consult Clin Psychol

Development and change of young adults' preventive health beliefs and behavior: influence from parents and peers

J Health Soc Behav

Parent–child relationships in nutrient intake: the Framingham children's study

Am J Clin Nutr

Review
Influence of peers and friends on children's and adolescents' eating and activity behaviors