The Influence of Parental Participation on Obesity Interventions in African American Adolescent Females: An Integrative Review 1

• Strong parental involvement can facilitate weight loss in African American adolescent females.
• The social ecological model is useful as a framework for clinicians to target obesity interventions.
• Future research should inform how best to involve parents in obesity interventions.

African American adolescent females have the highest prevalence rates of obesity among those age 18 and under. The long-term health effects and associated comorbidities of obesity within this cohort threaten the health and well-being of a major section of the U.S. population. There is a need to understand the influence of parental support in reducing obesity related health disparities. Using a social ecological framework to explore parental influence on adolescent obesity interventions allows for greater insight into the complex and dynamic influences affecting the lives of African American adolescent females who are obese.