The Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire: development and validation of age appropriate versions for infants and toddlers

Abstract Background In order to measure and understand trajectories of parental feeding practices and their relationship with child eating and weight, it is desirable to perform assessment from infancy and across time, in age-appropriate ways. While many feeding practices questionnaires exist, none is presently available that enables tracking of feeding practices from infancy through childhood. The aim of the study was to develop a version of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) for parents with infants and toddlers (< 2 years) to be used in conjunction with the original FPSQ for older children (≥2 years) to measure feeding practices related to non-responsiveness and structure across childhood. Methods Constructs and items for the FPSQ for infants and toddlers were derived from the existing and validated FPSQ for older children and supplemented by a review of the literature on infant feeding questionnaires. Following expert review, two versions of the questionnaire were developed, one for milk feeding parents and one for solid feeding parents. Data from two studies were combined (child ages 0–24 months) to test the derived constructs with Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the milk feeding (N = 731) and solid feeding (N = 611) versions. Results The milk feeding version consisted of four factors (18 items) and showed acceptable model fit and good internal reliability: ‘feeding on demand vs. feeding routine’ (α = 0.87), ‘using food to calm’ (α = 0.87), ‘persuasive feeding’ (α = 0.71), ‘parent-led feeding’ (α = 0.79). The same four factors showed acceptable model fit for the solid feeding version (21 items), likewise with good internal reliability (α = 0.74, 0.86, 0.85, 0.84 respectively). Two additional factors (13 items) were developed for the solid feeding version that appeared developmentally appropriate only for children aged 12 months or older: ‘family meal environment’ (α = 0.81) and ‘using (non-)food rewards’ (α = 0.92). The majority of factor-factor correlations were in line with those of the original FPSQ. Conclusions The FPSQ milk and solid feeding versions are the first measures specifically developed as precursors to the FPSQ to measure parental feeding practices in children < 2 years, particularly practices related to non-responsiveness and structure. Further validation in more diverse samples is required.

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The Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire: development and validation of age appropriate versions for infants and toddlers

10.21203/rs.3.rs-47977/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Jansen ◽

Georgie Russell ◽

Jessica Appleton ◽

Rebecca Byrne ◽

Lynne Daniels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feeding Practices ◽

Structure Questionnaire ◽

Infants And Toddlers ◽

Older Children ◽

Internal Reliability ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding ◽

Acceptable Model ◽

Age Appropriate ◽

Milk Feeding

Abstract Background: In order to measure and understand trajectories of parental feeding practices and their relationship with child eating and weight, it is desirable to perform assessment from infancy and across time, in age-appropriate ways. While many feeding practices questionnaires exist, none is presently available that enables tracking of feeding practices from infancy through childhood. The aim of the study was to develop a version of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) for parents with infants and toddlers (<2 years) to be used in conjunction with the original FPSQ for older children (≥2 years) to measure feeding practices related to non-responsiveness and structure across childhood. Methods: Constructs and items for the FPSQ for infants and toddlers were derived from the existing and validated FPSQ for older children and supplemented by a review of the literature on infant feeding questionnaires. Following expert review, two versions of the questionnaire were developed, one for milk feeding parents and one for solid feeding parents. Data from two studies were combined (child ages 0-24 months) to test the derived constructs with Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the milk feeding (N=731) and solid feeding (N=611) versions. Results: The milk feeding version consisted of four factors (18 items) and showed acceptable model fit and good internal reliability: ‘feeding on demand vs. feeding routine’ (α= 0.87), ‘using food to calm’ (α= 0.87), ‘persuasive feeding’ (α= 0.71), ‘parent-led feeding’ (α= 0.79). The same four factors showed acceptable model fit for the solid feeding version (21 items), likewise with good internal reliability (α= 0.74, 0.86, 0.85, 0.84 respectively). Two additional factors (13 items) were developed for the solid feeding version that appeared developmentally appropriate only for children aged 12 months or older: ‘family meal environment’ (α= 0.81) and ‘using (non-)food rewards’ (α= 0.92). The majority of factor-factor correlations were in line with those of the original FPSQ. Conclusions: The FPSQ milk and solid feeding versions are the first measures specifically developed as precursors to the FPSQ to measure parental feeding practices in children <2 years, particularly practices related to non-responsiveness and structure. Further validation in more diverse samples is required.

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The Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire: development and validation of age appropriate versions for infants and toddlers

10.21203/rs.3.rs-47977/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Jansen ◽

Georgie Russell ◽

Jessica Appleton ◽

Rebecca Byrne ◽

Lynne Daniels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Model Fit ◽

Structure Questionnaire ◽

Infants And Toddlers ◽

Internal Reliability ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding ◽

Acceptable Model ◽

Milk Feeding

Abstract Background: A large range of questionnaires is available to assess parental feeding practices. Most have been developed for and are used with children aged two years and older. To measure and better understand trajectories of feeding and their relationship with child eating behaviours and weight in the long term, assessment from infancy is desirable. While questionnaires also exist to measure feeding practices of parents with infants, no questionnaire is available that allows tracking of feeding practices across time, from infancy through childhood. The aim of the study was to develop a version of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) for parents with infants and toddlers.Methods: Constructs and items for the FPSQ for infants and toddlers were derived from the existing and validated FPSQ for older children and supplemented by a review of the literature on infant feeding questionnaires. Following expert review, two versions of the questionnaire were developed, one for milk feeding parents and one for solid feeding parents. Data from two studies were combined (child ages 0-24 months) to test the derived constructs with Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the milk feeding (N=731) and solid feeding (N=611) versions. Results: The milk feeding version consisted of four factors (18 items) and showed acceptable model fit and good internal reliability: ‘feeding on demand vs. feeding routine’ (α= 0.87), ‘using food to calm’ (α= 0.87), ‘persuasive feeding’ (α= 0.71), ‘parent-led feeding’ (α= 0.79). The same four factors showed acceptable model fit for the solid feeding version (21 items), likewise with good internal reliability (α= 0.74, 0.86, 0.85, 0.84 respectively). Two additional factors (13 items) were developed for the solid feeding version that appeared developmentally appropriate only for children aged 12 months or older: ‘family meal environment’ (α= 0.81) and ‘using (non-)food rewards’ (α= 0.92). The majority of factor-factor correlations were in line with those of the original FPSQ.Conclusions: The FPSQ milk and solid feeding versions are the first measures specifically developed as precursors to the FPSQ to measure parental feeding practices in children <2 years, particularly those related to non-responsiveness and structure. Further validation in more diverse samples is required.MeSH terms:Infant, Feeding behaviour, Parents, Body weight

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Parental feeding practices and child's level of food fussiness and neophobia – Preliminary analysis from NCFSII

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120003948 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie Rahill ◽

Aileen Kennedy ◽

Laura Kehoe ◽

Janette Walton ◽

Albert Flynn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Behaviour ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Structure Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Neophobia ◽

Novel Foods ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding ◽

Parental Reports ◽

Food Fussiness

AbstractResearch suggests that food fussiness (FF) and food neophobia (FN) are two separate constructs. Food fussiness is the tendency to be selective about a large proportion of familiar and unfamiliar foods, while food neophobia is the refusal of novel foods. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the association between parental feeding practices and child's FF or FN.Analysis was based on cross-sectional data from the nationally representative Irish National Children's Food Survey II (NCFSII; 2017–2018). The NCFSII collected detailed eating behaviour data from children aged 5–12 (n = 596) using the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). This questionnaire contained four items from the food fussiness subscale that represented FN and two items that represented FF. The Feeding Practices & Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) assessed non-responsive and structure-related parental feeding practices. Spearman's correlation established the association between parental feeding practices and child's FF and FN. Moderation analyses was conducted to explore the extent to which child's age moderates the association.Higher levels of child's FN was weakly to moderately associated with higher parental reports of reward for eating (RE) (r = .210, p < 0.001), persuasive feeding (PF) (r = .340, p < 0.001), overt restriction (OR) (r = .195, p < 0.001) and lower reports of structured meal settings (SMS) (r = -.085, p = 0.039) and family meals (FMS) (r = -.387, p < 0.001). Higher levels of child's FF had a slightly stronger association with the same parental feeding as FN, with additional associations with structured meal timings (SMT) (r = -.089, p = 0.031) and covert restriction (CR) (r = -.083, p = 0.045). Age moderated the association between both child's FF [b = .22, p < 0.001] and FN [b = .17, p = 0.002] and parental reports of PF, along with moderating the association between child's FF [b = .11, p = 0.04] and parental reports of SMT.Overall, child's FN and FF were both associated with higher levels of non-responsive feeding practices and lower reports of structure-related feeding practices, with child's FF associated with more parental feeding practices than FN. These findings suggest that it is important to address FN and FF as separate constructs, with more structure-related feeding practices inversely associated with higher levels of FF only. In addition, as children get older findings suggest that less parental feeding practices are utilised, however, higher levels of child's FF/FN are associated with similar levels of PF and SMT (FF only) regardless of age.

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Interaction Effects of Child Weight Status and Parental Feeding Practices on Children’s Eating Disorder Symptomatology

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11102433 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2433 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ricarda Schmidt ◽

Andreas Hiemisch ◽

Wieland Kiess ◽

Anja Hilbert

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorder ◽

Weight Status ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Interaction Effects ◽

Older Children ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Child Weight ◽

Parental Feeding ◽

Eating Disorder Psychopathology ◽

Eating Disorder Symptomatology

(1) Background: Research on parental feeding practices and non-normative eating behavior including loss of control (LOC) eating and eating disorder psychopathology indicated separate associations of these variables with child weight status, especially in early childhood. This study cross-sectionally examined interaction effects of restriction, monitoring, pressure to eat, and children’s weight status on disordered eating in children aged 8–13 years. (2) Methods: A population-based sample of N = 904 children and their mothers completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire for Children and the Child Feeding Questionnaire. Child anthropometrics were objectively measured. Hierarchical linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted for cross-sectionally predicting global eating disorder psychopathology and recurrent LOC eating by feeding practices and child weight status for younger (8–10 years) and older (11–13 years) ages. (3) Results: Restriction x Child weight status significantly predicted global eating disorder psychopathology in younger children and recurrent LOC eating in older children. Monitoring x Child weight status significantly predicted eating disorder psychopathology in older children. A higher versus lower child weight status was associated with adverse eating behaviors, particularly in children with mothers reporting high restriction and monitoring. (4) Conclusions: Detrimental associations between higher child weight status and child eating disorder symptomatology held especially true for children whose mothers strongly control child food intake.

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Technology at Mealtimes: Exploring the Relationship between Parental Feeding Practices, Technology Use and Child Eating Behavior

10.30707/etd2017.gramm.m ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Moriah Gramm

Keyword(s):

Eating Behavior ◽

Technology Use ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding ◽

Child Eating ◽

The Relationship

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Child weight and parental feeding practices: a child-responsive model

Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.1108/nfs-08-2014-0074 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 174-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elisabeth Lind Melbye ◽

Håvard Hansen

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Mediating Effects ◽

Parental Concern ◽

Content Type ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Child Weight ◽

Parental Feeding ◽

Wide Range

Purpose – The majority of previous studies on parental feeding practices have focused on the effect of controlling feeding strategies on child eating and weight (i.e. parental influence on children). The present study turns the arrow in the opposite direction, and it aims to test a child-responsive model by exploring the process in which child weight status might influence parental feeding practices, addressing potential mediating effects of parental concern for child weight (i.e. child influence on parents). Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey was performed among parents of 10- to 12-year olds (n = 963). The survey questionnaire included measures of parental feeding practices and parents’ reports of child weight and height. Stepwise regressions were performed to reveal potential mediating effects of parental concern for child weight status on the associations between child BMI and a wide range of parental feeding practices. Findings – Our results suggest a mediating effect of parental concern for child overweight on the associations between child body mass index and controlling feeding practices such as restriction for weight and health purposes and responsibility for determining child portion sizes. Originality/value – This study provides an extension of previous research on parental feeding–child weight relationship. It includes a wider spectrum of feeding variables, and integrates parental concern for both child who is overweight and child who is underweight as potential mediators of the associations between child weight and parental feeding practices. Moreover, it has its focus on preadolescent children, while previous studies have focused on infants and young children.

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Emotion Regulation Difficulties Strengthen Relationships Between Perceived Parental Feeding Practices and Emotional Eating: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1007/s12529-021-09959-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wesley R. Barnhart ◽

Abby L. Braden ◽

Lauren A. Dial

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding

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Parental Phone use during Mealtime with Toddlers and the Associations with Feeding Practices and Shared Family Meals: A Cross-sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-105794/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Frøydis Nordgård Vik ◽

Erik Grasaas ◽

Maaike E. M. Polspoel ◽

Margrethe Røed ◽

Elisabet R. Hillesund ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mobile Phone ◽

Emotional Regulation ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Family Meals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding

Abstract BackgroundPositive parental feeding practices and a higher frequency of family meals are related to healthier child dietary habits. Parents play an essential role when it comes to the development of their child’s eating habits. However, parents are increasingly distracted by their mobile phone during mealtime. The aim of this study was to describe the feeding practices and daily shared family meals among parents who use and do not use mobile phone during mealtime, and further to explore the associations between the use of mobile phone during mealtime and feeding practices and daily shared family meals, respectively.Methods Cross-sectional data from the Food4toddler study were used to explore the association between mobile use during meals and parental feeding practices including family meals. In 2017/2018 parents of toddlers were recruited through social media to participate in the study. In total 298 out of 404 who volunteered to participate, filled in a baseline questionnaire, including questions from the comprehensive feeding practices questionnaire (CFPQ), questions of frequency of family meals and use of mobile phone during meals. ResultsHerein, 4 out of 10 parents reported various levels of phone use (meal distraction) during mealtimes. Parental phone use was associated with lower use of positive parental feeding practices like modelling (B= -1.05 (95% CI -1.69; -0.41)) and family food environment (B= -0.77 (95% CI -1.51; -0.03)), and more use of negative parental feeding practices like emotional regulation (B= 0.73 (95% CI 0.32; 1.14)) and the use of pressure to eat (B= 1.22 (95% CI 0.41; 2.03)). Furthermore, parental phone use was associated with a lower frequency of daily family breakfast (OR= 0.50 (95% CI 0.31; 0.82)) and dinner (OR= 0.57 (95% CI 0.35; 0.93)). ConclusionsMobile phone use is common among parents during mealtimes, and findings indicate that parental phone use is associated with less healthy feeding practices and shared family meals. These findings highlight the importance of making parents aware of potential impacts of meal distractions. Trial registration: ISRCTN92980420. Registered 13 September 2017. Retrospectively registered.

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