Are Maternal Feeding Practices and Mealtime Emotions Associated with Toddlers’ Food Neophobia? A Follow-Up to the DIT-Coombe Hospital Birth Cohort in Ireland

Meijing An,Xiyao Liu,Qianling Zhou,Katherine M Younger,John M Kearney

doi:10.3390/ijerph17228401

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the associations between maternal feeding practices, mealtime emotions, as well as maternal food neophobia and toddlers’ food neophobia in Ireland. A follow-up to the Technological University Dublin (DIT)-Coombe Hospital birth cohort was conducted. Mothers in the original cohort were invited to the present study by telephone calls. Postal questionnaires with stamped addressed envelopes were distributed to those who agreed to participate in the study. Toddler food neophobia was assessed by the modified version of the Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS). There were 205 participants included in this study, with a median score of child food neophobia of 12. A higher degree of child food neophobia (score > 12) was positively associated with the maternal practice of coaxing the children to eat at refusal (OR (Odds Ratio) = 2.279, 95% CI: 1.048–4.955), unpleasant emotions at mealtime (e.g., stressful or hectic for mothers, or tearful for children) (OR ranged between 1.618 and 1.952), and mothers’ own degree of food neophobia (OR = 1.036, 95% CI: 1.001–1.072). Mothers who were not worried when confronted with child’s food refusal was negatively associated with toddlers’ food neophobia (OR = 0.251, 95% CI: 0.114–0.556). This study suggests the maternal practices of responsive feeding, being calm and patient with the toddlers, and creating a positive atmosphere at mealtime.

Highlights

Toddlerhood is a crucial period for the development of eating habits, which normally track into adulthood [1]
With a further exclusion of participants who failed to answered questions related to child food neophobia (n = 4), 205 participants were included in final data analysis
This study provided evidence about the relationships between toddlers’ food neophobia and maternal feeding practices, mealtime emotions and maternal food neophobia in Ireland

Summary

Introduction

Toddlerhood is a crucial period for the development of eating habits, which normally track into adulthood [1]. Food neophobia is regarded as the reluctance to eat, or the avoidance of new foods [2]. It starts at about two years of age, and peaks at two to six years of age [2]. Food neophobia helps toddlers, who begin to walk and explore their environment, to avoid toxic foods [2]. In modern society, foods are generally safe to eat; the protective effects of food neophobia have become less valuable [1]. Food neophobia is a common barrier to the acquisition of healthy eating habits during toddlerhood [3,4]. Compared to children without food neophobia, those with food neophobia consume less fruits and vegetables [6,7], meat [7] and fish [1]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion