Food Parenting Practices and Child Eating Behaviors in Australian Families: A Cross-Sectional Sibling Design

Abstract

BackgroundResearch on feeding in early childhood has focused primarily on parent–child dyadic interactions, despite parents enacting these practices within the complex dynamic of the family system. ObjectiveUsing a sibling design, this study aimed to assess how parents may adapt their food parenting practices for siblings in response to differences in their eating behaviors. DesignA cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October and December 2022. Participants/settingData were collected from parents (97.5% women) in Australia with 2 children aged 2 to 5 years (n = 336 parents and n = 672 children). Main outcome measuresSurvey items were completed for each sibling, and included four subscales of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and seven subscales of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire-28. Statistical analyses performedMultiple linear regression models examined associations between within-sibling pair differences in child eating behaviors and food parenting practices, adjusting for differences in child body mass index z score, age, gender, and early feeding method. ResultsWithin-sibling pair differences in eating behaviors were associated with differences in some food parenting practices. For the fussier sibling, parents reported using more control-based practices, including persuasive feeding, reward for eating, and reward for behavior, and less of the structure-based practice, family meal settings (P values < 0.001). Similar directions of associations were found for persuasive feeding, reward for eating, and family meal settings with siblings who were slower eaters or more satiety responsive (P values < 0.007); however, no significant differences in reward for behavior were observed in relation to sibling differences in these eating behaviors. For the more food responsive sibling, parents reported using more control-based practices, including reward for behavior and overt restriction (P values < 0.002). ConclusionsWithin families, parents may adapt certain practices in response to differences in their children's eating behaviors. Interventions promoting responsive feeding should be designed to acknowledge the integral role of siblings in shaping parents' feeding decisions.