Eating in the absence of hunger in young children: The role of maternal feeding strategies

Abstract

Restrictive feeding strategies have been associated with increased eating in the absence of hunger in a small number of studies of young girls. The aim of the present study was to examine a broader range of maternal feeding styles and eating in the absence of hunger in both girls and boys aged 3–5 years old. Participants were 184 mother-child dyads. Mothers completed a questionnaire containing measures of feeding strategies (Restriction, Pressure to Eat and Covert Control). Children consumed a lunch meal and then completed the Eating in the Absence of Hunger protocol. For girls, restrictive feeding was associated with increased eating in the absence of hunger. For boys, pressure to eat more was negatively associated with eating in the absence of hunger. Covert control was not associated with eating in the absence of hunger. Overall, the findings suggest that maternal feeding practices have a differential effect on the eating behaviours of girls and boys. In addition, results from this study indicate that controlling maternal feeding strategies, such as restrictive feeding, have a detrimental impact on young children's eating behaviours and may interfere with their ability to self-regulate eating.