Abstract
The objective was to examine the association between parenting practices, toddler's dietary intake and BMI. In addition, potential moderation of these associations by general parenting and child temperament was examined. The current cross-sectional study assessed parenting practices using the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire, general parenting using the Comprehensive General Parenting Questionnaire, child temperament using the Child Behavior Check List, and children's dietary intake through parental questionnaires. Children's weight and length were objectively measured to determine BMI z-scores. Associations were examined using multiple linear regression analyses. Moderation was examined using interaction terms. Home setting. 393 Dutch toddlers (age 1-3 years) and their parents recruited through fifty childcare centres and preschools in the Netherlands. Various practices were related to children's diet and BMI. For instance, the availability of healthy foods is the most important predictor of healthy dietary intake (e.g. β = -0·35 for sweets; β = 0·18 for fruit). The association of availability with a healthier diet was strongest when parents scored low on the positive parenting style dimensions, including nurturance, structure and/or behavioural control. In addition, it seemed that a high availability of healthy foods and low availability of unhealthy foods is especially beneficial for children showing withdrawal/depressive, anxious or overactive behaviour, while encouraging balance and variety is not beneficial for these children. All other practices were related to children's diet and/or BMI as well. The findings underline the importance of viewing the impact of parenting practices in the context of general parenting and child temperament.
Highlights
The current study examines the association between a broad range of diet-related parenting practices, and dietary intake and weight status of very young children (1–3 years old)
The current study examined the association between diet-related parenting practices and dietary intake and BMI z-scores of very young children
Moderation analyses indicated that healthy food availability at home is especially important for children who are raised by parents with suboptimal general parenting styles, as well as for children with a more problematic temperament
Summary
The current study examines the association between a broad range of diet-related parenting practices, and dietary intake and weight status of very young children (1–3 years old). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between parenting practices and child outcomes (fruit, vegetable, pastry, sweets, savoury snacks, water and sugary drinks intakes and BMI z-score), adjusting for children’s (age and sex) and parents’ (questionnaire completer, and age, country of birth, education level and BMI of both parents) background characteristics.
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