Are Fathers' Feeding Practices Associated with Preschool Age Children's Diet Quality, Eating Behavior, or Weight?

Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify the relationship of paternal feeding practices and preschool children's 1) eating behavior, 2) diet quality, and 3) weight status. Fathers of preschoolers (n=150) were recruited to participate in a one‐on‐one interview to assess feeding practices (Child Feeding Questionnaire), child eating behaviors (Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire), and diet quality (24 hour recall, Healthy Eating Index). Height and weight for each father and child were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) or BMI z‐score calculated. Linear regression was used to test the study aims. Paternal feeding practices were not related to child diet quality or weight status. However, child eating behaviors were associated with child BMI z‐score and these relationships were moderated by paternal feeding practices. For example, child satiety responsiveness was inversely (β= ‐.421, p= 0.031) associated with child BMI z‐score, only if paternal restriction scores were high, and was not significant when paternal restriction scores were low (β= ‐.200, p= 0.448). These results suggest that some child appetitive traits may be related to child weight status when exposed to certain paternal feeding practices. Future studies should consider the inclusion of fathers, in addition to mothers, as their feeding practices may influence the relationship between child eating behavior and child weight.