Children's Positive and Negative Emotionality Depending on Their Eating Behaviors

Abstract

This study investigated childhood eating behavior, the influence of eating behavior on the positive and negative emotionality of children, and the pattern or eating behavior influence on emotionality depending on the age and gender of children. A total of 202 children (ages 5 to 7) were selected from 3 nurseries and 1 kindergarten ill Seoul and the survey data responses from teachers were analyzed. The results were as follows. First, children with higher levels of eating behavior showed a higher positive emotionality score compared to those with lower levels of eating behavior. The effect of gender was not significant and positive emotionality tended to increase in the 5 and 6 year old groups as the level of eating behavior increased; in addition, it was generally similar in the 7 year old group. Second, the children with lower level, of eating behavior showed a higher negative emotionality score compared to those with higher levels of eating behavior. The main effects by age and gender were insignificant; however, the interaction of age and eating behavior affected the negative emotionality of children. The eating behavior of children affects emotionality and children with better eating behaviors showed more positive emotional responses and less negative emotional responses in the same circumstances.