Background:

Feeding modes and appetence toward certain foods are usually conditioned by the family. Obesity during adolescence usually persists during adulthood.

Aim:

To determine differences in family structure of adolescents according to their nutritional status.

Material and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 overweight-obese and 60 normal weight adolescents. Family type was determined based on their conformation (kinship and cohabitation), development (if the mother had a remunerated job), demography (geographical area), integration (functions of the couple); life cycle stage and functionality.

Results:

Fifty eight percent of normal weight adolescents had simple nuclear families and 47% of overweight-obese adolescents had an extended family. Thirty one and 21% of overweight/obese and normal weight adolescents lived with an overweight/obese individual, respectively.

Conclusions:

There are differences in the family structure of overweight/obese and normal weight adolescents.