scholarly journals Studying Children’s Eating at Home: Using Synchronous Videoconference Sessions to Adapt to COVID-19 and Beyond

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruthi Venkatesh ◽  
Jasmine M. DeJesus

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many facets of developmental research, including research that measures children’s eating behavior. Here, children’s food intake is often measured by weighing foods that children are offered before and after in-person testing sessions. Many studies also examine children’s food ratings (the extent to which they like or dislike a food), assessed via picture categorization tasks or hedonic scales. This paper reviews existing research on different methods for characterizing children’s eating behavior (with a focus on food intake, preferences, and concepts) and presents a feasibility study that examined whether children’s eating behaviors at home (including their food intake and ratings) can be measured via live video-chat sessions. The feasibility analyses revealed that an observational feeding paradigm at home yielded a majority (more than 70%) of video-chat recordings that had a sufficient view of the child and adequate sound and picture quality required for observational coding for the majority of the session’s duration. Such positioning would enable behavioral coding of child food intake, parent food talk, and meal characteristics. Moreover, children were able to answer questions to stories and express their preferences via researcher screen-share methods (which can assess children’s self-reported food preferences and beliefs) with low rates of exclusion across studies. The article ends with a discussion on the opportunities and challenges of using online platforms to conduct studies on children’s eating behaviors in their home environments during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
Ionel Nitu ◽  
Victoria Ancuta Rus ◽  
Remus Sebastian Sipos ◽  
Tiberiu Nyulas ◽  
Maria Paula Cherhat ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In order to counter and control the spread of the new COVID-19 pandemic, at the beginning of March 2020, the Romanian government decided to apply strict isolation and quarantine measures. Objective: In the present study, we aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and isolation/quarantine at home on lifestyle and daily diet, and to identify changes caused by the pandemic related to the nutritional status and food preferences of the Romanian population. Material and Method: We conducted a prospective observational study based on a structured questionnaire that included 30 items for investigating multiple aspects regarding the dietary habits in the context of the pandemic, quarantine and social isolation imposed by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The questionnaire was disseminated on various online platforms accessible from any device with an internet connection in Romania, on social media groups between January and March 2021. The questionnaire was made online, using the Google Forms platform, this method being very useful for carrying out the proposed evaluation, as it facilitated the national dissemination of the evaluation questionnaire. The final study group consisted of 620 respondents from 35 counties of Romania. Results: Regarding weight status, we found that the respondents showed significantly more frequent weight fluctuations during the pandemic than before (p <0.0001). The results showed an increase in the mean weight of the respondents during the pandemic vs. their mean weight before (p = 0.04). In contrast, there were no statistically significant differences between the BMI calculated before and during the pandemic (p = 0.3). Respondents, who had a chaotic diet (40.64%) before the pandemic, became significantly more organized in this regard during the pandemic (35.96%) (p = 0.008). Conclusions: We can state that the pandemic period and isolation at home analyzed in terms of eating habits had positive consequences for about half of the study participants which adopted an organized, diversified eating behavior and balanced lifestyle.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherene O.-B. Anguah ◽  
Majid M. Syed-Abdul ◽  
Qiong Hu ◽  
Miriam Jacome-Sosa ◽  
Colette Heimowitz ◽  
...  

Compared to low-fat diets, low-carbohydrate (CHO) diets cause weight loss (WL) over a faster time frame; however, it is unknown how changes in food cravings and eating behavior contribute to this more rapid WL in the early phases of dieting. We hypothesized that reductions in food cravings and improved eating behaviors would be evident even after a relatively short (4-week) duration of CHO-restriction, and that these changes would be associated with WL. Adult participants (n = 19, 53% males, mean ± SD: BMI = 34.1 ± 0.8 kg/m2; age 40.6 ± 1.9 years) consumed a CHO-restricted diet (14% CHO, 58% fat, 28% protein) for 4 weeks. Before and after the intervention, specific and total cravings were measured with the Food Craving Inventory (FCI) and eating behaviors assessed with the Three-Factor Eating questionnaire. Food cravings were significantly reduced at week 4, while women had significantly greater reductions in sweet cravings than men. Dietary restraint was significantly increased by 102%, while disinhibiton and hunger scores were reduced (17% and 22%, respectively, p < 0.05). Changes in cravings were unrelated to changes in body weight except for the change in high-fat cravings where those who lost the most weight experienced the least reductions in fat cravings (r = −0.458, p = 0.049). Changes in dietary restraint were inversely related to several FCI subscales. A short-term, low-CHO diet was effective in reducing food cravings. These data suggest that in subjects that have successfully lost weight on a low-CHO diet, those who craved high-fat foods at the onset were able to satisfy their cravings—potentially due to the high-fat nature of this restricted diet.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Masek ◽  
Lela Wiliams ◽  
Elizabeth Lorenzo ◽  
Beatriz Vega-Luna ◽  
Hector Valdez ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To better understand how Latinx middle school youth perceive the family- and environment-related factors that influence their diet and eating behaviors. Methods Five gender-stratified focus groups (3 with females, 2 with males) with 37 Latinx seventh grade students (54% female) were conducted. The guided discussion included questions about participants’ food choices, the role of their parents in their diet, the way diet and food are discussed at home, and healthy body-related concerns among their peers. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded in NVivo on the basis of specificity, extensiveness, frequency, and emotionality. Themes emerged from group dialogue; detailed conversations and predominant topics of discussion were noted. Results Youth identified several home- and family-level factors influencing their eating behaviors and food preferences, including parental/caregiver modeling, home food availability, and household budgetary constraints. Within the home, youth described a limited ability to participate in decisions regarding food choices, meal planning, meal preparation, and communicating with their caregivers about food preferences. Some youth expressed frustration due to perceiving that other family members were given alternative food options during meals. Youth were interested in eating healthier foods, but those options were not always available at home. Healthy foods at school were described as poorly prepared, and not always available. Youth reported experiencing peer pressure regarding healthy or unhealthy food selection, body image, and fitness level, and reported awareness of the use of unhealthful eating behaviors (e.g., restrictive eating, dieting, purging) as coping strategies. Conclusions Family- and household-related factors emerged as important factors that influence youth dietary behaviors. Youth expressed they would eat more nutritious foods if they had more options, if the food was well prepared, and they were given more autonomy over their food and meal choices. Future diet interventions should incorporate strategies to address family-level and environmental factors that influence dietary intake in this vulnerable population. Funding Sources Funded by NIMHD.


1986 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per-Olow Sjödén ◽  
Jan Fellenius ◽  
Raimo Lappalainen

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Nicklaus

Infants are born equipped to ingest nutrients, but because of the transitions in the mode of feeding in the first years (from “tube” feeding in utero to eating table foods with the family), they have to learn how, what and how much to eat. Eating behavior established during early years may follow throughout childhood; therefore, it is fundamental to understand the most important drivers of the early development of eating behavior. Beyond the first flavor discoveries during the gestational and lactation periods (through the infant's exposure to flavors from foods of the mother's diet), the most important phases for learning food preferences and appetite control may be the beginning of complementary feeding (CF). Infants discover the sensory (texture, taste and flavor) and nutritional properties (energy density) of foods that will ultimately compose their adult diet. This brief review shows that several feeding practices influence the development of eating behavior: breastfeeding; repeating the presentation of a food, even if it seems initially disliked; introducing a variety of different foods rapidly in the CF process; offering foods in an appropriate way to make their sensory characteristics appealing to infants. More research is needed to understand in a combined way the effectiveness and long-term effect of these practices to promote healthy eating behaviors.


Author(s):  
A. V. Yakimova ◽  
I. O. Marinkin

Eating behavior is a complex interaction of physiological, psychological, social, and genetic factors that affect the time of eating, the amount of food consumed, and food preferences. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the world and it is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. According to an analysis of 20 prospective studies, the years of life lost due to obesity have now exceeded the years of life lost due to smoking. The epidemic of obesity in the world determines the relevance of research aimed at identifying the factors that contribute to the emergence of this pathological condition. We studied mainly foreign literature on the effect of estrogens on women’s eating behavior and the physiology of adipose tissue. After puberty, women are at greater risk of developing eating disorders than men, possibly due to a more labile psyche. Estrogens contribute to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat, and low estrogen level in menopausal women contributes to an increase in the amount of visceral fat. It is believed that the anorectic effects of estrogens are mediated by the central nervous system, this statement is based on the fact that direct injections of estradiol into the paraventricular nucleus or the arcuate/ventromedial nucleus are most effective for reducing food intake, body weight and increasing motor activity. There is every reason to believe that further clinical, women-focused studies that provide a better understanding of the intracellular signaling pathways responsible for the estrogenic control of food intake will provide new insights into the mechanisms responsible for the greater prevalence of obesity and eating disorders in women.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meelim Kim ◽  
Seihee Park ◽  
Courtney Kim ◽  
Hyung Jin Choi

Abstract Food intake, proportion, and diversity are the major cornerstones of eating behavior. This study examined changes in eating behavior phenotypes using a randomized controlled study (RCT) of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for healthy behavior augmentation (dCBT), with 45 individuals in the dCBT group and 25 individuals in the control group. The dCBT group received a daily intervention for lifestyle modification, while the control group performed self-care for eight weeks. The food intake, proportion, and diversity of both groups were assessed using two different methods: a food diary via a mobile app and buffet test meals consisting of 24 food items classified as healthy or unhealthy. Results revealed that dCBT was successful in promoting healthy eating behaviors that led to physiological and psychological adjustment for the metabolic mechanisms and consequences of healthy eating behavior. Restrained eating behavior at baseline significantly predicted changes in food intake and diversity of healthy diets after the intervention. Lastly, changes in satisfaction with body shape and insulin resistance were significantly correlated with changes in food intake and diversity in healthy diets. These findings suggest that investigating eating behaviors using objective and self-report methods and psychological and physiological indices can facilitate individualized treatment in obesity clinics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Costa Liboredo ◽  
Lucilene Rezende Anastácio ◽  
Lívia Garcia Ferreira ◽  
Lívya Alves Oliveira ◽  
Ceres Mattos Della Lucia

The study aimed to assess the eating behavior [uncontrolled eating (UE), emotional eating (EE), and cognitive restraint (CR)], the perceived stress, and independently associated factors among Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted and data about 1,368 participants were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to identify factors independently associated (socioeconomic, lifestyle, and eating habits data) with eating behaviors and perceived stress. Working in the COVID-19 frontline (OR = 2.19), increased food delivery (OR = 1.49), increased food intake (OR = 1.48), increased number of meals (OR = 1.13), and EE (OR = 1.05) were factors independently associated with UE. Variables that were independently associated with EE were: increased food intake (OR = 2.57), graduation in a non-health-related course (OR = 1.78), perceived stress (OR = 1.08), UE (OR = 1.07), and CR (OR = 1.02). Reduced snacking (OR = 2.08), female gender (OR = 1.47), having a higher degree (OR = 1.44), increased homemade meals (OR = 1.31), the higher difference in the frequency of instant meals and snacks intake (OR = 0.91), EE (OR = 1.01), not increased alcohol dose intake (OR = 0.57), and increased physical activity (OR = 0.54) were independently associated with CR. Perceived stress was independently associated with changes in the way of working or studying (OR = 2.48), worse sleep quality (OR = 2.22), younger age (OR = 1.06), and EE (OR = 1.02). This study indicates that socioeconomic variables, lifestyle, and eating habits were independently associated with the eating behaviors of Brazilians and perceived stress during the quarantine.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Herle ◽  
Andrea Smith ◽  
Feifei Bu ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Daisy Fancourt

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of stay-at-home and lockdown measures. It is currently unknown if the experience of lockdown leads to long term changes in individual’s eating behaviors.Objective: The objectives of this study were: i) to derive longitudinal trajectories of change in eating during UK lockdown, and ii) to identify risk factors associated with eating behavior trajectories. Design: Data from 22,374 UK adults from the UCL COVID-19 Social study (a panel study collecting weekly data during the pandemic) were analyzed from 28th March to 29th May 2020. Latent Class Growth Analysis was used to derive trajectories of change in eating. These were then associated with prior socio-economic, heath-related and psychological factors using multinomial regression models. Results: Analyses suggested five trajectories, with the majority (64%) showing no change in eating. In contrast, one trajectory was marked by persistently eating more, whereas another by persistently eating less. Overall, participants with greater depressive symptoms were more likely to report any change in eating. Loneliness was linked to persistently eating more (OR= 1.07), whereas being single or divorced, as well as stressful life events, were associated with consistently eating less (OR= 1.69). Overall, higher education status was linked to lower odds of changing eating behavior (OR= 0.54-0.77). Secondary exploratory analyses suggest that participants self-reported to have overweight were most common amongst the consistently overeaters, whereas underweight participants persistently ate less. Conclusion: In this study, we found that one third of the sample report changes in quantities eaten throughout the first UK lockdown period. Findings highlight the importance of adjusting public health programs to support eating behaviors in future lockdowns both in this and potential future pandemics. This is particularly important as part of on-going preventive efforts to prevent nutrition-related chronic diseases.


2020 ◽  
pp. 003151252098308
Author(s):  
Bianca G. Martins ◽  
Wanderson R. da Silva ◽  
João Marôco ◽  
Juliana A. D. B. Campos

In this study we proposed to estimate the impact of lifestyle, negative affectivity, and college students’ personal characteristics on eating behavior. We aimed to verify that negative affectivity moderates the relationship between lifestyle and eating behavior. We assessed eating behaviors of cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), and emotional eating (EE)) with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18. We assessed lifestyle with the Individual Lifestyle Profile, and we assessed negative affectivity with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. We constructed and tested (at p < .05) a hypothetical causal structural model that considered global (second-order) and specific (first-order) lifestyle components, negative affectivity and sample characteristics for each eating behavior dimension. Participants were 1,109 college students ( M age = 20.9, SD = 2.7 years; 65.7% females). We found significant impacts of lifestyle second-order components on negative affectivity (β = −0.57–0.19; p < 0.001–0.01) in all models. Physical and psychological lifestyle components impacted directly only on CR (β=−0.32–0.81; p < 0.001). Negative affectivity impacted UE and EE (β = 0.23–0.30; p < 0.001). For global models, we found no mediation pathways between lifestyle and CR or UE. For specific models, negative affectivity was a mediator between stress management and UE (β=−0.07; p < 0.001). Negative affectivity also mediated the relationship between thoughts of dropping an undergraduate course and UE and EE (β = 0.06–0.08; p < 0.001). Participant sex and weight impacted all eating behavior dimensions (β = 0.08–0.34; p < 0.001–0.01). Age was significant for UE and EE (β=−0,14– −0.09; p < 0.001–0.01). Economic stratum influenced only CR (β = 0.08; p = 0.01). In sum, participants’ lifestyle, negative emotions and personal characteristics were all relevant for eating behavior assessment.


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