Food Parenting Practices and Children's Eating Behaviors: Comparing Mothers and Fathers

Abstract Objectives Food parenting practices (FPPs) can influence children's eating behaviors, but published research has mainly focused on mothers. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between maternal and paternal FPPs and children's eating behaviors. Methods A Canadian sample of 565 parents (53% fathers) of 5–12 year old children completed a food parenting practices item bank and the Children's Eating Behaviors Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between FPPs and children's eating behaviors (food fussiness, emotional overeating, food and satiety responsiveness). Models were run separately for mothers and fathers. Results Both paternal and maternal use of permissive practices were associated with greater food fussiness (fathers β = 0.33, P = 0.004; mothers β = 0.24, P = 0.002), while providing more vegetable opportunities was associated with lower food fussiness (fathers β = −0.20, P = 0.008; mothers β = −0.28, P = 0.003). Both fathers’ and mothers’ use of restriction for weight practices were associated with more emotional overeating (fathers β = 0.35; mothers β = 0.50, both P < 0.001) and food responsiveness (fathers β = 0.19, P = 0.008; mothers β = 0.40, P < 0.001). Paternal use of coercive control (β = 0.31, P = 0.001) and maternal use of permissive practices (β = 0.25, P < 0.001) were associated with higher emotional overeating among children. Paternal use of permissive practices (β = 0.25, P < 0.01) and a covert control of the food environment (β = 0.20, P < 0.01) were associated with greater food responsiveness. Mothers’ use of nondirective support was associated with higher satiety responsiveness (β = 0.26, P = 0.001) whereas fathers’ use of restriction for weight (β = 0.21 P < 0.006) and permissive practices (β = 0.26, P = 0.001) were associated with higher satiety responsiveness. Conclusions FPPs predictive of emotional overeating and food fussiness are generally similar for mothers and fathers. However, fathers differ from mothers in some FPPs associated with food and satiety responsiveness. Future research should explore the bidirectional effects of mothers’ and fathers’ FPPs and children's eating behaviours. Funding Sources Canadian Institutes of Health research, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center.

Download Full-text

Eating behaviors as predictors of satisfaction with food related life

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association ◽

10.47391/jpma.751 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Samia Wasif ◽

Maheen Sohail ◽

Maleeha Zaheer

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Correlational Study ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Life Scale ◽

Satiety Responsiveness ◽

Scale Data

Abstract Objective: To identify how different eating behaviours are correlated, and to analyse which behaviour is a true predictor of food satisfaction while comparing the pattern in gender behaviours. Methods: The correlational study was conducted at the Department of Humanities, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan, from January to May, 2019, and comprised adult individuals of both genders from different universities and food outlets located in Islamabad. Data was collected using the adult eating behaviour questionnaire and satisfaction with food-related life scale. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25. Results: Of the 430 subjects, 183(42.5%) males and 247(57.4%) were females. All subscales of the adult eating behaviour questionnaire were correlated positively with the satisfaction with food-related life scale scale except for satiety responsiveness which showed negative correlation (r=-0.07). Enjoyment of food, food responsiveness and hunger subscales acted as true predictors of satisfaction with food-related life with correlation values of 0.37, 0.38 and 0.33 respectively. Significant difference was found across gender only on satiety responsiveness (p<0.05). Conclusion: Increase in enjoyment of food, food responsiveness and hunger were found to increase satisfaction with food-related life. Key Words: Eating behaviours, Satisfaction with food-related life, Satiety responsiveness, Enjoyment of food

Download Full-text

Association Between State-Based and Trait-Based Responsiveness to Satiety Cues Differs by Child Risk for Overweight/Obesity

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab055_052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1242-1242

Author(s):

Nicole Reigh ◽

Alaina Pearce ◽

Hugh Garavan ◽

Charles Geier ◽

Barbara Rolls ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Weight Status ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Familial Risk ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Low Risk ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Child Bmi ◽

Satiety Responsiveness

Abstract Objectives The relationship between parentally reported satiety responsiveness (i.e., trait) and laboratory-assessed satiety responsiveness (i.e., state) in children is not known, making it difficult to interpret and generalize lab-based findings. In addition, while many studies have shown weight-related differences in children's eating behaviors, less is known about appetitive traits that are present before obesity develops. Therefore, we examined associations between trait- and state-based satiety responsiveness among children with healthy weight who differed by familial risk for obesity. Methods Data from an ongoing longitudinal study were analyzed for 59 healthy-weight, 7–8 year-old children (BMI-for-age% < 85). Familial risk for obesity was determined by parental weight status as low-risk (N = 34, both parents’ BMIs < 25 kg/m2) or high-risk (N = 25, mothers’ BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; fathers’ BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Parents completed the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire to assess satiety responsiveness (SR), a measure of children's tendency to stop eating once sated (trait). To assess state-based satiety, the Satiety Quotient (SQ) was calculated from an ad-libitum laboratory meal [(Pre-meal hunger – post-meal hunger)/meal intake in grams]. A higher SQ indicates a greater reduction in hunger per gram (i.e., better satiety responsiveness). Results Overall, SR and SQ were not correlated (P = 0.57). However, a linear regression controlling for pre-meal hunger and child BMI percentile revealed a risk status-by-SR interaction (β = 0.804, P = 0.04) such that SR was positively associated with SQ in high-risk children (95% CI [0.003, 0.430]), but there was no relationship between SR and SQ in low-risk children (95% CI [−0.203, 0.085]). No differences in SR, SQ, pre-meal hunger, or post-meal hunger were observed between risk groups. Conclusions Parentally reported (trait-based) satiety was positively associated with laboratory-assessed satiety, but only among healthy weight children at high-familial risk for obesity. Parents of children who are at high-risk for developing obesity may be more observant of children's appetitive traits compared to parents of low-risk children, and this may be helpful in the prevention of obesity. Funding Sources NIH RO1: DK110060.

Download Full-text

Anxiety is associated with undesirable eating behaviors in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-148637/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kathryn E Coakley ◽

Huyen Le ◽

Spirit Rae Silva ◽

Aspen Wilks

Keyword(s):

Eating Behaviors ◽

The United States ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Professional Students ◽

The Past ◽

Severe Anxiety ◽

Satiety Responsiveness ◽

Food Fussiness

Abstract Background COVID-19 has impacted mental health globally, however, relationships between anxiety and eating behaviors during the pandemic have not been explored. This study evaluated anxiety, eating attitudes and behaviors, and associations between anxiety and eating behaviors in students at a large public University in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Current undergraduate and graduate/professional students completed a cross-sectional survey in fall 2020. Demographic information, indicators of anxiety in the past two weeks assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7), and eating behaviors assessed by the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) were evaluated. A score ≥ 10 on the GAD-7 indicated anxiety (≥ 15 indicated severe anxiety). Eating behaviors were reported via Likert scale and combined into eight AEBQ subscales; subscale mean and standard deviation were reported. Differences in mean AEBQ subscale scores were examined between participants with and without anxiety via Mann-Whitney U tests. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to examine associations between GAD-7 score and individual AEBQ subscale scores, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and student status. Results The final sample included 1243 students (57% undergraduates). In the full sample, 51.9% experienced anxiety in the past two weeks; 24.6% had severe anxiety. Subgroups with the highest prevalence of anxiety included non-cisgender participants (73.6%), the youngest age group [18–20 years of age (62%)], undergraduate students (60.7%), and Hispanic/Latino participants (57.5%). Participants with anxiety had significantly lower AEBQ scores for enjoyment of food and significantly higher scores for emotional over and under-eating, food fussiness, food and satiety responsiveness, and hunger than those with no anxiety (p < 0.01). In adjusted analyses, GAD-7 score was significantly and positively associated with hunger, food responsiveness, emotional over-eating, satiety responsiveness, and food fussiness and negatively associated with enjoyment of food. Conclusions The prevalence of anxiety is overwhelming in undergraduate and graduate/professional students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Eating behaviors differ significantly in those with anxiety; increasing anxiety severity was associated with undesirable eating behaviors including hunger and emotional over-eating. Universities and health professionals must consider strategies to address anxiety, particularly in younger students, non-cis-gender students, and across race/ethnicities keeping in mind associations between anxiety and eating behaviors.

Download Full-text

How Parents Can Help Kids Make Healthy Choices: Advice from Children (P04-006-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-006-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Kaitlyn Eck ◽

Colleen Delaney ◽

Carol Byrd-Bredbenner ◽

Karla Shelnutt ◽

Melissa Olfert

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Parenting Practices ◽

Best Practice ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Good Health ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Health Related ◽

Sugary Beverages

Abstract Objectives To explore the advice school-age children would give parents to help their kids make good health-related behavioral choices (e.g., reducing sugary beverages, increasing fruits/vegetables, eating age-appropriate portions, having frequent family meals) and determine the congruence of children's advice with best-practice parenting guidelines. Methods Children (6 to 11 years) from three states (FL, NJ and WV) participated in 1 of 65 semi-structured focus group discussions. Trained focus group moderators used a semi-structured script to ask children what advice they would give parents to help kids make healthy choices. Results School-age children (n = 195, 47% female) felt that parents played an important role in helping kids make healthy choices. Standard content analysis procedures indicated that some of the advice children would give parents was in line with best-practice parenting guidelines, such as telling kids about the benefits of healthy choices, encouraging kids to make healthy choices, planning ahead to make healthy choices possible, and establishing a routine and expectations for healthy choices. Children also advised parents to involve kids in planning and preparing meals, politely ask kids to help them, and teach kids how to cook. However, other advice children gave contradicted best-practice parenting guidelines. Children often advised parents to use rewards (e.g., money and highly palatable foods) as bribes to get kids to make healthy choices. They also frequently advised parents to punish kids for making unhealthy choices by taking away dessert or electronic devices or grounding them. Children commonly advised parents to “trick” kids into making healthy choices by mixing vegetables into other dishes to hide them or coloring water so kids think it is juice. Conclusions Although some of the advice kids would give parents was in line with best-practice parenting guidelines, not all was. Kids’ advice may suggest that their parents have utilized non-recommended strategies, which can negatively influence children's own eating behaviors now as well as the parenting practices these kids may use in the future. Thus, to protect future generations, nutrition interventions targeting children should consider incorporating best-practice parenting strategies related to healthy choices. Funding Sources 2011–68,001-30,170 and 2017–680,001-26,351.

Download Full-text

Complementary Feeding Methods—A Review of the Benefits and Risks

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18137165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 7165

Author(s):

Nikki Boswell

Keyword(s):

Complementary Feeding ◽

Infant Growth ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Adequate Intake ◽

Feeding Methods ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

The Relationship ◽

Satiety Responsiveness ◽

Food Fussiness

Complementary feeding methods have the potential to not only ensure a diet of nutritional adequacy but also promote optimal food-related behaviours and skills. While the complementary feeding practice known as baby-led weaning (BLW) has gained popularity, evidence supporting the potential benefits and/or risks for infant growth, development, and health warrants consideration. A review of 29 studies was conducted with findings indicating that parents who implement BLW typically have higher levels of education, breastfeed for longer, and differ in other personality traits. Fear of choking was an important factor in parents’ decision not to implement BLW; however, this fear was not supported by the literature. Benefits of BLW included lower food fussiness, higher food enjoyment, lower food responsiveness, and higher satiety responsiveness. While this profile of eating behaviours confers a reduced obesity risk, few studies have examined the relationship between BLW and infant growth robustly. BLW does not seem to increase the risk of inadequate zinc or iron intake; however, emphasis needs to be given to ensuring adequate intake of these micronutrients among all infants. A better understanding of the impacts of BLW is needed to inform evidence-based recommendations to support and guide parents in complementary feeding methods.

Download Full-text

Changes in Eating Behaviors and Confidence Towards Cooking After an 8-Week Online Cooking and Nutrition Tutorials in Adults Living with an Overweight Condition or Obesity

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa059_011 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1294-1294

Author(s):

Tamara Cohen ◽

May Slim ◽

Hugues Plourde ◽

Valerie Bouzo ◽

Vanessa Dumeaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Self Efficacy ◽

Food Access ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives This study tested the impact of online cooking and nutrition tutorials on eating behaviours and psychosocial determinants of cooking skills among adults living with an overweight condition or obesity. Methods Healthy adults 18–65 y living with an overweight condition or obesity (25 < body mass index [BMI] < 40 kg/m2) living in the greater Montreal (Quebec) Canada were randomized (1:1:1) to one of three groups: Control [Ctrl; weekly delivery of food with paper-based recipes], Nutrition [weekly delivery of food, access to online cooking and nutrition tutorials] or Behaviour [weekly delivery of food, access to online cooking and eating behaviour tutorials] over 8 weeks. Cooking and education videos were <4 min long total and were viewed through private YouTube links. At baseline and 8 weeks, anthropometrics and sociodemographic were surveyed, as were appetitive traits (i.e., Food Responsiveness, Hunger, Emotional Overeating, Enjoyment of Food, Satiety Responsiveness, Food Fussiness, Emotional Undereating and Slowness in Eating) using the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire [AEBQ]. Cooking barriers and confidence towards cooking, confidence in consuming fruits and vegetables and self-efficacy were also assessed. Mixed model ANOVAs were used to test for differences among groups over time. Results At baseline, forty-eight participants with a mean age of 34.0 ± 12.9 y and BMI of 30.2 ± 4.5 kg/m2 were enrolled. Significant differences were seen in the Slowness in Eating subscale between Behaviour (1.64 ± 0.98) and Ctrl (2.46 ± 0.88) (P < 0.02). At 8 weeks, Emotional Overeating scores significantly decreased in both Nutrition and Behaviour compared to Ctrl (P = 0.03). Other AEBQ subscales did not vary by time or group. From baseline to 8 weeks, all groups significantly increased scores for confidence towards cooking (P < 0.001), confidence in consuming of fruits and vegetables (P < 0.001) and general self-efficacy (P < 0.001). Conclusions The weekly provision of food baskets with online cooking and nutrition tutorials elicited changes in eating behaviours in adults living with an overweight condition and obesity. Future studies including a long-term follow-up and larger sample size are needed to confirm these positive findings. Funding Sources R. Howard Webster Foundation.

Download Full-text

Are food parenting practices gendered? Impact of mothers' and fathers' practices on their child's eating behaviors.

Appetite ◽

10.1016/j.appet.2021.105433 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105433

Author(s):

Kaat Philippe ◽

Claire Chabanet ◽

Sylvie Issanchou ◽

Sandrine Monnery-Patris

Keyword(s):

Parenting Practices ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Mothers And Fathers

Download Full-text

The Family Mealtime Observation Study (FaMOS): Exploring the Role of Family Functioning in the Association between Mothers’ and Fathers’ Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Nutrition Risk

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11030630 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 630 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kathryn Walton ◽

Emma Haycraft ◽

Kira Jewell ◽

Andrea Breen ◽

Janis Randall Simpson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family Functioning ◽

Parent Education ◽

Parenting Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Observation Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nutrition Risk ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Children's Nutrition

This cross-sectional study explores associations between mothers’ and fathers’ food parenting practices and children’s nutrition risk, while examining whether family functioning modifies or confounds the association. Home observations assessed parents’ food parenting practices during dinnertime (n = 73 families with preschoolers). Children’s nutrition risk was calculated using NutriSTEP®. Linear regression models examined associations between food parenting practices and NutriSTEP® scores. An interaction term (family functioning × food parenting practice) explored effect modification; models were adjusted for family functioning to explore confounding. Among mothers, more frequent physical food restriction was associated with higher nutrition risk in their children (β = 0.40 NutriSTEP® points, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.30, 7.58) and among both mothers and fathers, positive comments about the target child’s food were associated with lower nutrition risk (mothers: β = −0.31 NutriSTEP® points, 95% CI = −0.54, −0.08; fathers: β = −0.27 NutriSTEP® points, 95% CI = −0.75, −0.01) in models adjusted for parent education and child Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score. Family functioning did not modify these associations and they remained significant after adjustment for family functioning. Helping parents to use positive encouragement rather than restriction may help to reduce their children’s nutrition risk.

Download Full-text

Young Children's Food-Related Receptive Language and Acceptance of a Novel Food

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab046_114 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 817-817

Author(s):

Allison Shapiro ◽

Abigail Flesher ◽

Kendal Lattanzi ◽

Renee Charlifue-Smith ◽

Susan Johnson

Keyword(s):

Eating Behaviors ◽

Receptive Language ◽

Global Alliance ◽

Food Acceptance ◽

Novel Food ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Nutrition Research ◽

The Government ◽

Government Of Canada ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objectives Little inquiry has been undertaken regarding the interface of children's development of eating behaviors and their understanding of food-related (FR) words. Thus, we explored the relationship between young children's understanding of FR vocabulary (FR receptive language) and their acceptance of a novel food. Methods Caregivers (n = 35) and children ages 7–24 mo (n = 12 infants age <12 mo; n = 23 toddlers age ≥12 mo) participated in a study in which caregivers offered a novel food (nutrition supplement added to infant oatmeal) to their children. Novel food acceptance was measured as g consumed. The Communicative Development Inventory assessed caregiver perceptions of infants’ understanding of 154 words related to food and eating (FR receptive language). A linear regression model with FR receptive language, age (toddler vs. infant) and a FR receptive language-by-age interaction was used to predict acceptance of the novel food. Covariates included infant sex and BMI z-score and a p < 0.1 was chosen for this exploratory study. Results As expected, caregivers reported that infants understood fewer words as compared to toddlers (median [IQR]; 7 [13] vs. 33 [46], respectively). The relationship between FR receptive language and novel food acceptance differed by age (F = 8.08, p = 0.01). Among toddlers, greater FR receptive language (more food-related words understood) was associated with greater novel food acceptance (β [95% CI], 0.22g [−0.04, 0.49], p = 0.09). In younger infants, greater FR receptive language was associated with lower novel food acceptance (−0.80g [−1.53, −0.07], p = 0.03). Conclusions Receptive language facilitates children's understanding of their environment and contributes to shaping their behavior. Our preliminary findings suggest that greater FR receptive language may facilitate acceptance of novel food in toddlers. Younger infants were perceived to understand few words and may not have enough receptive language to positively influence food acceptance. Funding Sources This work was supported by the Government of Canada, as part of the Business Platform for Nutrition Research (BPNR) hosted by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.

Download Full-text

Associations between Coparenting Quality and Food Parenting Practices among Mothers and Fathers in the Guelph Family Health Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030750 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 750

Author(s):

Sabrina Douglas ◽

Gerarda Darlington ◽

John Beaton ◽

Kirsten Davison ◽

Jess Haines ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Home Environment ◽

Emotional Regulation ◽

Parenting Practices ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Child Outcomes ◽

Family Health ◽

Health Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Varied Diet

Coparenting quality and food parenting practices have been shown to have a strong influence on child outcomes. However, little is known about whether coparenting quality may influence food parenting practices. This study aimed to investigate how coparenting quality is associated with both mothers’ and fathers’ food parenting practices. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 58 mothers and 40 fathers enrolled in the Guelph Family Health Study. The Coparenting Relationship Scale and the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire were used to measure coparenting and food parenting practices, respectively. Linear regressions using generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations between coparenting quality and food parenting practices in mothers and fathers. Among mothers, higher coparenting quality was associated with lower use of food for emotional regulation, restriction of food for health, and child control of food intake and with higher encouragement of a balanced and varied diet, provision of a healthy home environment, and modeling of healthy eating behaviors. Among fathers, higher coparenting quality was associated with lower pressure to eat and with higher encouragement of a balanced and varied diet and provision of a healthy home environment. Coparenting quality is associated with food parenting practices among both mothers and fathers. Interventions aiming to improve food parenting practices should include fathers and should consider targeting parents’ coparenting relationship.

Download Full-text