Leiden University Student Repository

Lange, Babette (2026)

Emotioneel eten en fysieke gezondheid bij ouders van kinderen met een autismespectrumstoornis: De rol van migratieachtergrond

Master thesis | Education and Child Studies (MSc)

Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience chronic stress, which may affect coping and health. Emotional eating is one potential strategy linked to weight gain and metabolic problems. This study investigated whether emotional eating relates to Body Mass Index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome in parents of children with ASD, and whether migration background moderates these associations. Methods: Data came from the baseline of the Tandem study (N = 205 parents; 169 included in analyses after exclusions). Emotional eating was assessed with the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. BMI and metabolic health were measured objectively through anthropometric, biochemical and blood pressure assessments. Migration background was defined according to Statistics Netherlands. Analyses included group comparisons, regression and moderation models, controlling for age, gender and educational level (used as an indicator of socioeconomic status, SES). Results:...Show moreBackground: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience chronic stress, which may affect coping and health. Emotional eating is one potential strategy linked to weight gain and metabolic problems. This study investigated whether emotional eating relates to Body Mass Index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome in parents of children with ASD, and whether migration background moderates these associations. Methods: Data came from the baseline of the Tandem study (N = 205 parents; 169 included in analyses after exclusions). Emotional eating was assessed with the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. BMI and metabolic health were measured objectively through anthropometric, biochemical and blood pressure assessments. Migration background was defined according to Statistics Netherlands. Analyses included group comparisons, regression and moderation models, controlling for age, gender and educational level (used as an indicator of socioeconomic status, SES). Results: Parents with and without a migration background did not differ in emotional eating, BMI or prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Emotional eating showed no significant association with BMI or metabolic syndrome, and migration background did not moderate these links. Older parental age was associated with a lower likelihood of meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome; gender and educational level (SES) were not significant predictors. Conclusions: This study challenges assumptions of heightened vulnerability among parents with a migration background. Emotional eating and physical health outcomes appear more strongly determined by individual and contextual factors than by cultural background alone. Findings highlight resilience among parents of children with ASD and underscore the need for culturally sensitive yet individualized support. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify causal pathways.Show less

Fysieke gezondheid

Author

Lange, Babette

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Orthopedagogiek

Supervisors

Dr. Elize Verhoeff

ECTS Credits

20

Language

nl