Parent–child correlation in energy and macronutrient intakes: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Abstract

Abstract In the current study, we aimed to review the evidence from twin and family‐based studies that have assessed the familial similarity in intakes of energy and macronutrients among various parent–child pairs. The online literature databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, were searched up to December 2022 to find potentially eligible studies. We converted Pearson's, Spearman's, or intra‐class correlation coefficients to z's using Fisher's z transformation to obtain approximate normality and then calculated a mean and standard error (SE) of transformed correlation weighted by the sample sizes in the studies. We reported pooled r and 95% CI as our final results in five groups, including parent–child, mother–daughter, mother–son, father–daughter, and father–son. Twenty‐one eligible studies were included in this meta‐analysis, in which the sample size ranged from 33 and 4310. Our analysis showed that family resemblance in the intake of energy and macronutrients in various parent–offspring pairs was weak to moderate which could be different based on family pairs, nutrients, and studies. The highest similarity in dietary intakes was observed among the mother–daughter pair, which was for carbohydrate and protein intake, respectively. The lowest correlations in dietary intakes were found between mother–son or father–son pairs. Our meta‐analysis suggested that family similarity for intakes of energy and macronutrients was not strong in parent–child pairs. The highest correlation in dietary intake was mostly found in mother–daughter pairs. The weak similarities in dietary intake among parent–child pairs indicate the noticeable effect of the environment outside the family on individuals' dietary choices.

Keywords

• child
• dietary pattern
• energy
• macronutrient
• meta‐analysis
• parents