An epidemiological study of eating disturbances

Abstract

This research examined variables associated with young children's feeding problems. Mothers of 79 children ranging in age from 2 years to nearly 7 years completed extensive questionnaires with items pertaining chiefly to their children's feeding histories and past and current eating habits, their own (mothers') practices related to their children's eating habits, and the children's psychological problems. In addition, the mothers completed questionnaires supplying information about their own food likes and dislikes as well as those of their children and husbands. Children whose eating behavior was relatively problematic differed from other children in our study in several respects. They had less exposure to novel foods, and they were more likely to be prodded and rewarded to eat and punished for not eating. In addition, they had higher scores on 3 of the variables indicative of behavioral/psychological problems: aggressive behavior, toileting difficulties, and fearfulness. Finally, the problem eaters were more likely to have developed a conditioned taste aversion.