Direct and Indirect Effects of a Family-Based Intervention in Early Adolescence on Parent-Youth Relationship Quality, Late Adolescent Health, and Early Adult Obesity

The FCU intervention predicted a significantly less severe decline in parent-youth relationship quality from ages 12-15, with intervention families maintaining better relationship trajectories than co

Effect: improvement; β = .16

The FCU had a significant indirect effect on reduced obesity at age 22, mediated through improved parent-youth relationship quality and reduced maladaptive eating attitudes, even though the FCU contai

Effect: improvement; indirect effect OR = .98

Healthy lifestyle behaviors at age 17 (balanced meals, adequate sleep, regular exercise) did not significantly predict obesity at age 22, despite being improved by better parent-youth relationship qua

Effect: null

Depressive symptoms at age 17 did not significantly predict obesity at age 22, even though better parent-youth relationship quality reduced depression.

Effect: null

The FCU intervention condition was not directly associated with obesity at age 22; there was no significant direct effect of assignment to the FCU on the likelihood of being obese 10 years later.

Effect: null; OR not significant