The characteristics of infants¡ø temperament and eating behavior, maternal eating behavior and feeding practices in picky eaters

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of infants’ temperament and eating behavior, maternal eating behavior and feeding practices in picky eaters. Picky eating participants were 83 infants(12–24 mo) from a hospital and a public health center. Mothers were questioned their eating behavior and feeding practices and infants’ temperament, eating behavior and nutrient intakes of one day food recall. Picky eaters were defined by cluster analysis. Picky eaters’ demographics were not significantly different from non-picky eaters after adjusting sex and age. Intakes of thiamin, niacin and vitamin E of picky eaters were below 75% Korean RDA, whereas vitamin A exceed 120% RDA in both groups. Activity level of infants’ temperament and disinhibition of maternal eating behavior in picky eaters were significantly higher than those in non-picky eaters. All constructs of infants eating behavior were associated with infants’ temperament, feeding practice and eating behavior of mother. The pickiness of infants eating behavior was positively correlated with activity level of infants’ temperament, pickiness and disinhibition of maternal eating behavior and negatively correlated with adaptability of infants’ temperament. Findings suggest that maternal eating behavior and feeding practices as well as infants’ temperament should be addressed in nutrition education for picky eaters. This was supported by grant (Ro1-2002-222-22199-0) from Korea Science & Engineering Foundation.