scholarly journals Snack Portion Sizes for Preschool Children Are Predicted by Caregiver Portion Size, Caregiver Feeding Practices and Children′s Eating Traits

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3020
Author(s):  
Sophie Reale ◽  
Rebecca M. Simpson ◽  
Colette Marr ◽  
Sharon A. Carstairs ◽  
Joanne E. Cecil ◽  
...  

Caregivers are mostly responsible for the foods young children consume; however, it is unknown how caregivers determine what portion sizes to serve. This study examined factors which predict smaller or larger than recommended snack portion sizes in an online survey. Caregivers of children aged 2 to 4 years were presented with 10 snack images, each photographed in six portion sizes. Caregivers (n = 659) selected the portion they would usually serve themselves and their child for an afternoon snack. Information on child eating traits, parental feeding practices and demographics were provided by caregivers. Most caregivers selected portions in line with recommended amounts for preschool children, demonstrating their ability to match portion sizes to their child′s energy requirements. However, 16% of caregivers selected smaller than recommended low energy-dense (LED, e.g., fruits and vegetables) snacks for their child which was associated with smaller caregiver′s own portion size, reduced child food liking and increased satiety responsiveness. In contrast, 28% of caregivers selected larger than recommended amounts of high energy-dense (HED, e.g., cookies, crisps) snacks for their child which were associated with larger caregiver′s own portion size, greater frequency of consumption, higher child body mass index (BMI), greater pressure to eat and lower child food liking. These findings suggest that most caregivers in this study select portions adjusted to suit their child′s age and stage of development. Future interventions could provide support to caregivers regarding the energy and nutrient density of foods given the relatively small portion sizes of LED and large portions of HED snacks offered to some children.

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 3343-3348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Lively ◽  
Oluborode Babawale ◽  
David M Thompson ◽  
Amanda S Morris ◽  
Jennifer L Harris ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo assess relationships between mothers’ feeding practices (food as a reward, food for emotion regulation, modelling of healthy eating) and mothers’ willingness to purchase child-marketed foods and fruits/vegetables (F&V) requested by their children during grocery co-shopping.DesignCross-sectional. Mothers completed an online survey that included questions about feeding practices and willingness (i.e. intentions) to purchase child-requested foods during grocery co-shopping. Feeding practices scores were dichotomized at the median. Foods were grouped as nutrient-poor or nutrient-dense (F&V) based on national nutrition guidelines. Regression models compared mothers with above-the-median v. at-or-below-the-median feeding practices scores on their willingness to purchase child-requested food groupings, adjusting for demographic covariates.SettingParticipants completed an online survey generated at a public university in the USA.SubjectsMothers (n 318) of 2- to 7-year-old children.ResultsMothers who scored above-the-median on using food as a reward were more willing to purchase nutrient-poor foods (β=0·60, P<0·0001), mothers who scored above-the-median on use of food for emotion regulation were more willing to purchase nutrient-poor foods (β=0·29, P<0·0031) and mothers who scored above-the-median on modelling of healthy eating were more willing to purchase nutrient-dense foods (β=0·22, P<0·001) than were mothers with at-or-below-the-median scores, adjusting for demographic covariates.ConclusionsMothers who reported using food to control children’s behaviour were more willing to purchase child-requested, nutrient-poor foods. Parental feeding practices may facilitate or limit children’s foods requested in grocery stores. Parent–child food consumer behaviours should be investigated as a route that may contribute to children’s eating patterns.


2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 841-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salwa A. Albar ◽  
Nisreen A. Alwan ◽  
Charlotte E. L. Evans ◽  
Janet E. Cade

The prevalence of obesity has increased simultaneously with the increase in the consumption of large food portion sizes (FPS). Studies investigating this association among adolescents are limited; fewer have addressed energy-dense foods as a potential risk factor. In the present study, the association between the portion size of the most energy-dense foods and BMI was investigated. A representative sample of 636 British adolescents (11–18 years) was used from the 2008–2011 UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey. FPS were estimated for the most energy-dense foods (those containing above 10·5 kJ/g (2·5 kcal/g)). Regression models with BMI as the outcome variable were adjusted for age, sex and misreporting energy intake (EI). A positive association was observed between total EI and BMI. For each 418 kJ (100 kcal) increase in EI, BMI increased by 0·19 kg/m2(95 % CI 0·10, 0·28;P< 0·001) for the whole sample. This association remained significant after stratifying the sample by misreporting. The portion sizes of a limited number of high-energy-dense foods (high-fibre breakfast cereals, cream and high-energy soft drinks (carbonated)) were found to be positively associated with a higher BMI among all adolescents after adjusting for misreporting. When eliminating the effect of under-reporting, larger portion sizes of a number of high-energy-dense foods (biscuits, cheese, cream and cakes) were found to be positively associated with BMI among normal reporters. The portion sizes of only high-fibre breakfast cereals and high-energy soft drinks (carbonated) were found to be positively associated with BMI among under-reporters. These findings emphasise the importance of considering under-reporting when analysing adolescents' dietary intake data. Also, there is a need to address adolescents' awareness of portion sizes of energy-dense foods to improve their food choice and future health outcomes.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Miguel-Berges ◽  
Alba Santaliestra-Pasias ◽  
Theodora Mouratidou ◽  
Pilar De Miguel-Etayo ◽  
Odysseas Androutsos ◽  
...  

Lifestyle behavioral habits such as excess screen time (ST), a lack of physical activity (PA), and high energy-dense food consumption are associated with an increased risk of children being overweight or obese. This study aimed to (1) track longitudinal adherence to PA and ST recommendations at baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1) and (2) assess the association between changes in adherence to PA and ST recommendations and food and beverage consumption at follow-up. The present study included 2321 preschool children (3.5 to 6) participating in the multicenter ToyBox-study. A lineal mixed effects model was used to examine the association between different types of food and beverages and their relationship with changes in adherence to PA and ST recommendations. Approximately half of the children (50.4%) did not meet the PA and ST recommendations at both baseline and follow-up. However, only 0.6% of the sample met both PA and ST recommendations. Preschool children who met both recommendations consumed fewer fizzy drinks, juices, sweets, desserts, and salty snacks and consumed more water, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products than did those not meeting both recommendations. In conclusion, the proportion of European preschool children adhering to both PA and ST recommendations was very low and was associated with a low consumption of energy-dense foods.


2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeppe Matthiessen ◽  
Sisse Fagt ◽  
Anja Biltoft-Jensen ◽  
Anne Marie Beck ◽  
Lars Ovesen

AbstractObjective:To elucidate status and trends in portion size of foods rich in fat and/or added sugars during the past decades, and to bring portion size into perspective in its role in obesity and dietary guidelines in Denmark.Data sources:Information about portion sizes of low-fat and full-fat food items was obtained from a 4-day weighed food record (Study 1). Trends in portion sizes of commercial foods were examined by gathering information from major food manufacturers and fast food chains (Study 2). Data on intakes and sales of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and confectionery were obtained through nation-wide dietary surveys and official sales statistics (Study 3).Results:Study 1: Subjects ate and drank significantly more when they chose low-fat food and meal items (milk used as a drink, sauce and sliced cold meat), compared with their counterparts who chose food and meal items with a higher fat content. As a result, almost the same amounts of energy and fat were consumed both ways, with the exception of sliced cold meat (energy and fat) and milk (fat). Study 2: Portion sizes of commercial energy-dense foods and beverages, and fast food meals rich in fat and/or added sugars, seem to have increased over time, and in particular in the last 10 years. Study 3: The development in portion sizes of commercial foods has been paralleled by a sharp increase of more than 50% in the sales of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and confectionery like sweets, chocolate and ice creams since the 1970s.Conclusions:Larger portion sizes of foods low in fat and commercial energy-dense foods and beverages could be important factors in maintaining a high energy intake, causing over-consumption and enhancing the prevalence of obesity in the population. In light of this development, portion size ought to take central place in dietary guidelines and public campaigns.


Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
◽  
Azza Abul-Fad ◽  

Introduction: Obesity Is Global Problem Which Begins From Early Childhood. Early Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) without foods or Milk Formula (MF) before 6 months, with continued breastfeeding for two years are optimal feeding practices. Aim: To review studies conducted to assess the nutritional status of preschool children with a focus on obesity and stunting and their association with EBF vs MF feeding. Methods: We used online search engines of the Egyptian university libraries consortium (www.eulc.edu) to search for studies on overweight, obesity stunting and wasting in preschool children. We identified 919 theses that were filtered to 32 studies then to 18 theses fitting the criteria of the study. Analysis of the pooled data was done for the studies with children who were EBF (2 studies) vs children who were exposed to MF (16 studies) by age and sex. Findings: Pooled analysis for children aged 6-59 months among MF vs. EBF studies as follows: overweight 5.4% vs. 3.45%, obesity 13.8% vs. 5.65%, stunting 21.6% vs. 1.15% and wasting 9.7% vs. 0.85% respectively. Obesity and overweight were higher in males in both studies, whereas stunting and wasting were higher in females in both studies (ages 0-72 months). Early and extended MF feeding, foods before 6 months of life, chips and canned drinks were prominent risk factors for obesity. Large family size was associated with obesity and short birth interval with stunting. Colostrum feeding, longer duration of breastfeeding, fruits and vegetables were protective. Obese children showed clinical signs of anemia, vitamin A and D deficiency, severe asthma and developmental delay. Conclusions: Obesity and MF feeding beyond 6 months and well into 5 years of age threaten child health. Policies and legislations are needed to control, counter and monitor marketing tactics supported by guiding messages. Keywords: Obesity; overweight; stunting; wasting; fast foods; breastfeeding; birth spacing; child development; infancy; preschool children; anthropometry; growth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 737-737
Author(s):  
Hanim Diktas ◽  
Liane Roe ◽  
Kathleen Keller ◽  
Barbara Rolls

Abstract Objectives Food liking influences food choice and the most-liked foods are often energy dense. Previous studies found that both food liking and energy density predicted the size of portions selected by adults. To extend these findings, we investigated the independent and combined effects of food liking and energy density on portion selection in children. Methods In two laboratories, 67 children aged 7–16 years (49% girls; 16% with overweight or obesity) completed a computerized survey to assess characteristics of 20 common foods. Children were shown images of the foods and used 100-point scales to rate how much they liked the food (liking) and how much they would eat at a specified meal (portion selection). The energy density (ED) of the foods ranged from 0.3 to 4.9 kcal/g. The survey displayed five images of food amounts at 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% of the scale. The portion size of the 50% image was used as the reference amount and was based on mean intake for similar aged children from a U.S. national survey. Individual energy needs were estimated using the Dietary Reference Intake equations. Results There were independent effects of children's liking ratings and food ED, which did not interact to influence portion selection (p = 0.21). Across all foods, food liking had a strong effect on the portion size selected (p &lt; 0.0001); the magnitude of this effect depended on age (−0.04 ± 0.02; p = 0.015). Food energy density had a smaller effect (p = 0.04) that also depended on age (−0.39 ± 0.15; p = 0.010). Younger children selected larger portions (relative to the reference portion) from higher-ED foods than lower-ED foods; conversely, older children selected smaller portions from higher-ED foods. The effects of age remained significant when adjusted for individual energy needs. The effects on portion selection of either food liking or energy density were not influenced by children's sex, BMI-for-age percentile or BMI z-score. Conclusions These results confirm that food liking and food ED are significant determinants of portion selection in children. The finding that liking affected portion selection even for low-ED foods has implications for promoting healthy eating habits in children. Serving larger portions of well-liked low-ED foods such as fruits and vegetables can be a strategy to promote children's intake. Funding Sources NCRR, NCATS, NIDDK.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pam Blundell-Birtill ◽  
Marion M. Hetherington

Large portion sizes have been identified as contributing to overweight and obesity, particularly in children and adolescents. This study examined predictors of portion sizes of high energy snack foods eaten by children aged 1.5–18 years. Specifically, we examined whether portion sizes were adjusted for age, and what external features of the environment might be linked to large portion sizes. Portion sizes were derived from four-day food diaries that form the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Diaries from 5942 children were examined and multilevel models were used to discover whether age, gender, location, time of day, household income, and watching TV while eating predicted portion sizes of savoury snacks, chocolate, confectionery and biscuits. Portion sizes of all the target foods were predicted by age. Boys had larger portions, and portion sizes were larger when target foods were consumed later in the day. Portion sizes were larger outside the home, for example in leisure venues, but the target foods were eaten more frequently in the home. As dietary patterns change to include more snack intake outside the home, these locations could be an important space to target for interventions for portion control.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Chenzheng Zhang ◽  
Baojun Tai ◽  
Han Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic influenced people’s daily life. During lockdown of Wuhan city, the oral health and its associated issues of preschool children were investigated and guidance for dental clinics when the epidemic were controlled in the future were also provided. Methods A national online survey was conducted among preschool children and completed by their caregivers. The questionnaire related to children’s oral health status and care behaviour, caregivers' attitudes. The information was statistically analyzed between Wuhan residents and others residents. Results 4495 valid questionnaires were collected. In oral health status, during Wuhan lockdown, 60.8%, 35.5% and 18.3% children had self-reported dental caries, toothache and halitosis respectively. In oral health attitudes, respondents who would increase attention to oral health was more than that would decrease. In oral hygiene behaviour, compared to non-Wuhan children, the children in Wuhan became more active in brushing their teeth. In utilization of dental services in the future, less Wuhan residents would choose to have dental visit directly, 28.5% Wuhan residents and 34.7% non-Wuhan residents agreed all of procedures could be done if proper protected. Conclusions Oral health status and associated issues of preschool children in Wuhan were significantly different from that of others during lockdown of Wuhan city and in the future. Effective measures should be taken as early as possible to protect children's oral health.


Appetite ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 105250
Author(s):  
Hanim E. Diktas ◽  
Liane S. Roe ◽  
Kathleen L. Keller ◽  
Christine E. Sanchez ◽  
Barbara J. Rolls

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gibney ◽  
Aifric O’Sullivan ◽  
Albert Flynn ◽  
Janette Walton ◽  
Hannelore Daniel ◽  
...  

The present study set out to explore the option of developing food portion size for nutritional labelling purposes using two European Union (EU) dietary surveys. The surveys were selected as they differed in (a) methodologies (food diary versus food frequency questionnaire), (b) populations (Irish National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) versus a seven-country survey based on the pan EU study Food4Me), (c) food quantification (multiple options versus solely photographic album) and (d) duration (4 consecutive days versus recent month). Using data from these studies, portion size was determined for 15 test foods, where portion size was defined as the median intake of a target food when consumed. The median values of the portion sizes derived from both the NANS and Food4Me surveys were correlated (r = 0.823; p < 0.00) and the mean of the two survey data sets were compared to US values from the Recognized as Customarily Consumed (RACC) database. There was very strong agreement across all food categories between the averaged EU and the US portion size (r = 0.947; p < 0.00). It is concluded that notwithstanding the variety of approaches used for dietary survey data in the EU, the present data supports using a standardized approach to food portion size quantification for food labelling in the EU.


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