<![CDATA[Childhood obesity is a multifactorial health problem influenced by family characteristics and parenting practices. However, evidence regarding the association between parenting style and children's nutritional status remains inconsistent. This study examined the association between parenting style and BMI-for-age status among elementary school children in Kandangmas Village, Dawe District, Kudus Regency. A cross-sectional study involved 60 eligible children. Body weight and height were measured to determine BMI-for-age status, categorized as normal, overweight, or obese. Parents or guardians completed a questionnaire assessing authoritarian, democratic, and permissive parenting styles. Data were analyzed descriptively and using Pearson’s Chi-Square test, with Cramer’s V measuring association strength. Among respondents, 21 (35.0%) had normal BMI-for-age status, 14 (23.3%) were overweight, and 25 (41.7%) were obese. Democratic parenting was most common (41.7%), followed by permissive (33.3%) and authoritarian parenting (25.0%). No statistically significant association was observed between parenting style and BMI-for-age status in the present sample of school-aged children studied (χ²(4) = 4.937; p = 0.294; Cramer’s V = 0.203). These findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small sample, cross-sectional design, and unmeasured factors, including dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Furthermore, two expected cell counts were below five, warranting caution when interpreting the Pearson test. Larger studies incorporating relevant behavioral and family factors are needed to clarify this relationship and inform childhood obesity prevention strategies.]]>
