Feeding Styles Research Articles

Selective Feeding-An Under-Recognised Contributor to Picky Eating.

Background: Amongst children presenting to an interdisciplinary clinic with complaints of picky eating, we aim to identify the proportion who have underlying selective feeding and to describe its implications on growth and nutrition, as well as parental coping responses. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of first-visit consults from January 2020 to July 2022. Caregiver and child mealtime behaviours were assessed using the standardised Caregiver's Feeding Styles Questionnaire (CFSQ) and by direct observation. Caloric intake and oromotor skills were assessed by dietitians and speech therapists, respectively. Medical concerns were addressed by the doctor. Results: Out of 152 children referred for concerns of "picky eating", 128 (84.2%) were diagnosed as having selective eating, while the rest were diagnosed with delayed oromotor skills, poor appetite, oral aversion and 4 were deemed to have normal feeding behaviour for their age. Of the 128 selective eaters, 67 (52%) children had comorbidities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (n = 59), attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) (n = 2) and underlying medical conditions (n = 6). The remaining 61 children were "otherwise well". Of the "otherwise well" children, 47.5% had inadequate caloric intake and 31% had failure to thrive. The commonest feeding style among caregivers of "otherwise well" picky eaters was authoritarian (36%). The majority (80%) of these caregivers also experienced helplessness. Conclusions: We conclude that picky eating in young children is a symptom with several possible underlying aetiologies. It is associated with nutritional consequences for the child and significant stress on caregivers. Being able to recognise those who need referral for specialist intervention and multidisciplinary management (such as selective feeding and delayed oromotor skills) would be important.

Association of parental eating styles and markers of food intake and nutritional status of Brazilian children

We analysed the relationships between maternal feeding styles and children’s eating and nutritional factors. A cross-sectional study was developed with 416 mothers linked to 130 public higher education institutions in all Brazilian states and their children aged 18 months to six years. A semi-structured online questionnaire was applied using the Google Forms tool, with questions about sociodemographic conditions, food consumption and anthropometry of the children. The children’s food consumption was assessed based on the Food Consumption Markers Form (SISVAN) for the age groups up to 24 months (n = 84) and over 24 months (n = 332), and the parental style in feeding, based on the Parental Feeding Styles Questionnaire (QEPA). The assessment of the child’s nutritional status was based on the weight and height data reported by the mother. The body mass index/age (BMI/Age) was calculated and classified into age-specific WHO curves. Descriptive analysis and univariate analyses were performed, in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 26.0) programs (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). To test the association between categorical variables, the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used, and multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the independent association between the variables of interest, with an estimated odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance was adopted at 5%. Children under 24 months of age with authoritative mothers were 8.7 times more likely to consume ultra-processed foods and 5.3 times less likely to consume foods rich in vitamin A than those with indulgent mothers. Children over 24 months old with authoritative mothers were 2.5 times more likely to eat meals while watching television, 2.0 times more likely to consume sandwich cookies, candies and sweets, and 2.3 times less likely to have at least the three main meals of a day, compared to those with indulgent mothers. The chances of overweight children being born to authoritative mothers were two times greater compared to underweight children. Higher scores in the demandingness domain among responsive mothers increased the odds ratios of children eating unhealthy foods, using screens during meals, and proved to be a protective factor against low child weight.

Healthy Change Intervention: A Cluster RCT in Preschooler Mothers in Mexico and the United States.

To assess effects of Healthy Change intervention on maternal perception of her child's body weight (MPCW), maternal feeding style, and obesogenic home environment. A randomized control trial was conducted, consisting of two arms: the intervention group received the Healthy Change program, and the control group received the Hygiene and Accident Prevention program. A total of 356 mother-preschool child dyads participated, 182 in the intervention group and 174 in the control group, residing in Mexico and the United States. Data were collected at baseline and after the program through self-administered questionnaires completed by mothers and child anthropometric measurements. Although no significant between-group difference in pre- and post-intervention change of MPCW was found, sub-analyses revealed that a higher proportion of mothers in the intervention group accurately perceived their child's body weight at the study endpoint using categorical (67% vs. 57.1%, p < 0.005) and visual scales (48.9% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.015). Additionally, more mothers of overweight children in the intervention group accurately perceived their children's overweight and obese status compared to those in the control group (29.8% vs. 10.3%, X2 = 4.26, df = 1, p < 0.039). The intervention group also displayed a higher proportion of mothers with authoritative feeding style (26.4% vs. 16.5%, p < 0.036) and significantly higher family nutrition and physical activity scores (29.1 vs. 28.0, p < 0.000) at the study endpoint. Healthy Change Intervention led to improved accuracy of MPCW, a shift toward maternal authoritative feeding styles, and positive changes in obesogenic home environments.

Adverse childhood experiences and profiles of healthy orthorexia versus orthorexia nervosa: towards an explanatory model of orthorexia as a multidimensional eating style

BackgroundOrthorexia is a complex phenomenon comprising distinct dimensions, including orthorexia nervosa (ON) and healthy orthorexia (HO). However, little is known about the factors influencing these dimensions, their disparities, and the psychological factors underlying orthorexia behaviours.ObjectivesThis study aims to explore ON versus HO dimensions and the predictive role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in a nationally representative sample of Polish individuals. In addition, we aim to investigate the mediating roles of alexithymia, embodiment, and experiential avoidance levels in this association.MethodsA representative sample of Polish adults (n = 3557) participated in this study. Dimensions of orthorexia (HO, ON) were assessed using the Teruel Orthorexia Scale, while ACEs were evaluated using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Levels of alexithymia were measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, experiential avoidance through the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and embodiment intensity via the Experience of Embodiment Scale.ResultsCluster analysis identified two distinctive orthorexia profiles in the whole sample, i.e., HO (n = 469) and ON (n = 1217), alongside three intermediate HO/ON profiles (n = 1871). The number of ACEs predicted ON tendencies as opposed to HO behaviours in participants. The mediating role of alexithymia, experiential avoidance, and embodiment in the association between ACEs and ON was also observed.ConclusionsOur study suggests that orthorexia is a multidimensional eating style shaped by socio-cultural factors. Adverse childhood experiences may be related to ON behaviours by mediating psychological factors such as experiential avoidance, alexithymia, and embodiment. Effective education and collaborative support are necessary for addressing ON tendencies.

Infant and young child feeding practices as mediators in the relationship between early temperament and children's eating behaviors: A longitudinal study during COVID-19 pandemic

Simultaneously investigating the influence of multiple early temperament dimensions on children's eating behaviors through infant and young child feeding practices may be essential for developing optimal intervention strategies. This longitudinal study gathered data at two assessment points: Time 1, evaluation of infant and young child feeding practices and children's temperament when they were between 6 and 12 months, and Time 2, assessment of children's eating behaviors at age 2. This study included sociodemographic characteristics, the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire for Toddlers (CEBQ-T), the short form of Children Behavior Questionnaire (Revised IBQ-RSF), and the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire (IFSQ) in eastern China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to examine the pathways from three dimensions of early temperament to five types of children's eating behaviors mediated by three styles of infant and young child feeding practices. A total of 972 children, children's mean age was 14.58 ± 5.11 months, 464 (47.74%) being girls, while the mothers' mean age was 30.23 ± 3.56 years. Effortful control exhibited significant effects on food responsiveness and satiety responsiveness mediated by responsive feeding. Additionally, effortful control influenced enjoyment of food and satiety responsiveness mediated by restrictive feeding. Surgency had a significant effect on food responsiveness mediated by indulgent feeding. Negative affectivity impacted satiety responsiveness, enjoyment of food, and food responsiveness mediated by responsive feeding. This longitudinal study delineates the pathways from early temperament to eating behaviors mediated by infant and young child feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months. These findings highlight the need to prioritize intervention programs aimed at nurturing early temperament through appropriate infant and young child feeding practices to promote healthy eating behaviors for upper- and middle-income countries (UMICs) with similar contexts.

Cognitive Stimulation and Maternal Feeding Styles in Families with Low Incomes: Impacts from a Randomized Clinical Trial

ObjectiveTo examine associations between cognitive stimulation in the home at 6 months and maternal feeding styles at 24 months, direct intervention effects of Smart Beginnings (SB) on feeding styles, and potential indirect effects of SB on feeding styles via earlier intervention effects on cognitive stimulation. Study DesignSingle-blind, two-site randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the SB intervention. SB integrates PlayReadVIP, a universal, pediatric primary care-based program, and Family Check-Up (FCU), a targeted secondary home-based parenting intervention. Mother-infant dyads (N=327) were randomized at birth to standard pediatric care or the SB intervention. Linear regression analyses determined associations between cognitive stimulation at 6 months and maternal feeding styles at 24 months, a secondary data analysis. Direct intervention impacts on feeding styles, a secondary RCT outcome, were also assessed and mediation analyses explored intervention effects on feeding styles via earlier intervention impacts on cognitive stimulation. ResultsCognitive stimulation was significantly associated with higher responsive and lower indulgent feeding styles. SB mothers were less likely to exhibit pressuring styles compared with controls (Effect Size [ES]=-0.12, p=0.02). Although no direct intervention effects were found on responsive or indulgent feeding styles, indirect effects of SB were evident on these feeding styles through intervention-induced increases in cognitive stimulation in the SB group. ConclusionThis study found positive linkages between cognitive stimulation in the home and later feeding styles. Additionally, the SB intervention was associated with less pressured feeding and indirect pathways mediated by intervention effects on cognitive stimulation. Implications for early childhood parenting interventions are discussed.

Understanding bidirectional and transactional processes of child eating behaviours and parental feeding practices explaining poor health outcomes across infancy and early childhood in Australia: protocol for the Longitudinal Assessment of Children’s Eating (LACE) study

IntroductionChild eating behaviours develop through interactions between the child’s characteristics, psychological factors and the child’s social environment and this affects the child’s diet and weight. To examine the currently existing...

Interpersonal determinants of diet quality and eating behaviors in people aged 13-30 years: A systematic scoping review.

Adolescence is an important period of increasing independence, when adolescents experience changing influences of family and friends on their diets as they transition into adulthood. We conducted a scoping review to map the literature on interpersonal determinants of diet quality and eating behaviors among individuals aged 13-30 years. We searched seven literature databases, and following screening, 329 papers were included. Determinants were grouped according to sub-categories of the Determinants of Nutrition and Eating framework: family structure (n = 122), social influences (n = 121), parental behaviors (n = 90), family food culture (n = 83), social support (n = 69), parental feeding styles (n = 24), parental attitudes/beliefs (n = 8), and parental resources/risk factors (n = 6), and we added two new sub-categories: parenting style (n = 74) and partner behaviors (n = 6). Fruit/vegetable (n = 143) and sugar-sweetened beverage (n = 102) intake were the most commonly measured diet outcomes, and breakfast consumption (n = 41) and fast food/takeaway intake (n = 39) the most commonly examined eating behaviors. This review highlights the gaps in the literature, both across the determinant sub-categories and also the relative paucity of longitudinal evidence and lack of evidence in emerging adults, particularly outside of university settings. Future research should focus on these areas to provide stronger evidence to support better design of interventions for this age group.

The Association of Parental Feeding Style and Sociodemographic Characteristics with Child Anxiety in Preschool Children

Objective: This descriptive, cross-sectional study aims to determine the relationship between parent feeding style and anxiety in children. Methods: The research was conducted with 338 mothers with children aged 3-6 years. Sociodemographic Information Form, Revised Preschool Anxiety Scale and the Parent Nutrition Style Questionnaire were used for data collection. Results: The mean Preschool Anxiety Scale scores significantly differed concerning the number of children’s siblings, mothers’ employment, fathers’ employment, mothers’ education, fathers’ education and family income. There was a significant positive weak correlation between anxiety levels and the mean scores on emotional feeding, instrumental feeding and the Parent Nutrition Style Questionnaire. Conclusion: Health professionals should be aware of several sociodemographic features that affect anxiety in children. Therefore, families at risk should be identified, their children should be closely monitored in terms of health problems like anxiety and depression, and appropriate interventions should be designed to prevent anxiety in children. Considering that parental feeding style affects eating habits in children, further studies are needed to examine the relationship between parental feeding behavior and anxiety in children.

Psychometric properties of the toddler feeding style questionnaire in fathers and its gender invariance

Parental feeding practices and behaviours are closely related to a number of child outcomes, including eating behaviour and health. The Toddler Feeding Style Questionnaire (TFSQ) was developed to provide an accurate instrument for evaluating parental feeding practices for toddlers by assessing two dimensions: responsiveness and demandingness. As the initial validation study was conducted in a sample of mothers only, the aims of this study are: a) to validate the TFSQ in fathers, b) to analyse its measurement invariance as a function of gender and parenting experience and c) to explore associations between socio-demographic variables and both dimensions. The TFSQ was completed by 377 fathers and 583 mothers. CFA confirmed the two-factor structure within the same items as the initial validation study, with good model fit indices (X2 = 230.089; TLI = 0.883; CFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.08 (90% CI 0.068–0.092), SRMR = 0.070). Strict invariance measurement in terms of gender and parenting experience was achieved. Overall, fathers scored higher than mothers on demandingness, regardless of their parenting experience. Primiparous mothers scored higher than multiparous mothers and primiparous fathers on the responsiveness dimension. However, there were no gender-based differences on this dimension for parents with more than one child. These results confirm that the TFSQ is an adequate and validated instrument for assessing parenting dimensions, as it performs equally well for mothers and fathers, regardless of their parenting experience. There is also support for the notion that parental attitudes to feeding may be related to their socio-economic background.

Associations of sugar-related food parenting practices and parental feeding styles with prospective dietary behavior of children and adolescents: a systematic review of the literature from 2017 to 2023.

High consumption of sugar-rich foods and beverages has been associated with increased overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Dietary behavior is influenced by learned mechanisms that originate in childhood and is associated with food parenting practices (FPP) and parental feeding styles (PFS). This systematic review aimed to narratively synthesize FPP and PFS concerning sugar-rich foods and beverages and their associations with the prospective dietary behavior of children and adolescents to derive evidence-based recommendations for health professionals and parents to promote healthy behaviors. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases covering the publication years 2017-2023. The results were narratively synthesized, and exposure-outcome matrices were used for visual representation. The review included 15 peer-reviewed studies from different geographical regions that investigated FPP or PFS regarding the handling of sugar-rich foods and beverages in children's diets and reported the associations with the prospective dietary behavior of children and adolescents. The findings indicate that highly controlling parental practices were associated with the development of unhealthy eating behaviors and preferences for sugar-rich foods and beverages over time. Conversely, parental practices that emphasized structure and balance in dietary choices yielded more positive long-term outcomes, associated with reduced preferences for sugar-rich foods and drinks. The results underscore the significance of fostering a healthy home environment and active parental role modeling in promoting healthier dietary behaviors among children and adolescents.

Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Caregivers' Pressuring Feeding Style in Infants of 6-11 Months Old in Rural Areas of Sichuan Province

Objective To investigate the status and influencing factors of pressuring feeding style among caregivers in remote rural areas of Sichuan province. Methods Multistage sampling was conducted to select infants of 6-11 months old who had received complementary food and their caregivers in remote rural areas of Sichuan province.A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic characteristics of infants and their caregivers,pressuring feeding behaviors,feeding environment,and caregivers' negative emotions.Quantile regression was employed to analyze the factors influencing pressuring feeding among caregivers of infants. Results A total of 1358 pairs of infants and their caregivers were included,with the pressuring feeding behavior score of 11 (8,14).Parity was the protective factor for caregivers' pressuring feeding (β25=-1.17,P<0.001;β50=-1.40,P=0.002;β75=-2.18,P<0.001).Whether infants played with toys while eating (β25=1.00,P<0.001;β50=1.20,P=0.003;β75=1.42,P<0.001) and whether infants watched TV/mobile phones (β25=0.50,P=0.048;β50=1.07,P=0.004) were the risk factors.At the 75th percentile,caregivers' negative emotions were the risk factor for pressuring feeding (β75=0.94,P=0.015).Caregivers' education background (β25=0.83,P=0.034;β50=0.87,P=0.021) and family income (β75=1.09,P=0.012) were also significantly associated with pressuring feeding scores at different quartile points. Conclusion Pressuring feeding behaviors of caregivers in remote rural areas of Sichuan province need to be improved.Based on the characteristics of infants and their families,guidance should be carried out to improve the feeding environment and the mental health of caregivers,thereby promoting reasonable feeding behaviors among caregivers of infants in rural areas.

Association of parental feeding styles and the nutritional status of children ages 2 to 5 years in Jember, East Java, Indonesia

Association of parental feeding styles and the nutritional status of children ages 2 to 5 years in Jember, East Java, Indonesia

Neuroinflammation in the medullary visceral zone exert a powerful impaction on the systemic inflammation in sepsis through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway

To investigate whether sepsis-induced neuroinflammation of medulla visceral zone (MVZ) predominates the systemic inflammation through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), and to explore the effect of central anti-inflammation on systemic inflammation. 112 adult Sprague–Dawley male rats were randomly divided into sepsis experimental group (n = 56) and neuroinflammation experimental group (n = 56). The two experimental groups were individually randomly divided into control group (n = 8), model group (n = 16), central anti-inflammatory group (n = 16) and vagus transection group (n = 16). Rats in two control groups were administered with saline at the dose of 6 mL/kg intraperitoneally or with 25 μL artificial cerebrospinal fluid injected into forth ventricle once a day for 3 days. Rats in two model groups were administered with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the dose of 6 mg/kg intraperitoneally or with 25 μg/25 μL LPS injected into forth ventricle once a day for 3 days. Rats in two central anti-inflammatory groups were fed with 10 mg/mL minocycline sucrose solution as the only water source for 4 days prior to be treated as the model groups of their own, and feeding style was continued until the end of the experiment. Rats in the two vagus transection groups were undergone right vagotomy and 7 days of adaptive feeding prior to be treated as the same as those in the central anti-inflammatory group of their own. The Murine Sepsis Score (MSS), mortality rate and heat rate variability (HRV) were recorded during the last 3 days of intervention. Then the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for ELISA analysis to detect the serum level of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10. The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in medulla oblongata were analyzed by Western blot. The correlation and regression analysis among the expression levels of cytokines in medulla oblongata, HRV indexes and serum inflammatory cytokines were performed. The mortality rate and MSS of the sepsis model group and the MVZ’s neuroinflammation model group were significantly higher than those of their own control group, and the central anti-inflammation reduced the mortality rate and MSS scores of the two model groups, while the right vagotomy abolished the effect of central anti-inflammatory. In the sepsis model group and the MVZ’s neuroinflammation model group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and other cytokines in serum and MVZ were significantly increased, and HRV indexes (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF) were significantly decreased (P = 0.000). Central anti-inflammatory treatment reversed the above changes. However, right vagotomy abolished the central anti-inflammatory effect. Correlation and regression analysis showed that there was a significant linear correlation among the expression of inflammatory factors in MVZ, the indexes of HRV and the levels of serum cytokines. Our study shows that sepsis-induced MVZ’s neuroinflammation exert a powerful influence on the systemic inflammation through CAP in sepsis. Central anti-inflammation effectively improves systemic inflammation through inhibiting MVZ’s neuroinflammation in sepsis. The time domain and frequency domain indexes of HRV can reflect the regulatory effect of CAP and the degree of inflammation of MVZ, which may be potentially used to monitor the condition and treatment effectiveness of sepsis patients.

Parent's use of coercive control practices with food is associated with poorer emotion regulation and increased emotional overeating in preschoolers

Emotional overeating is defined as eating in response to emotions. Around the preschool years, there is a shift from emotional undereating to overeating, which suggests environmental influences in the development of overeating. The use of food by parents to control their child's emotions, rather than to teach them appropriate emotion regulation strategies, may impact the child's ability to regulate their own emotions, resulting in emotional overeating. We hypothesized that such coercive control practices with food by parents would be associated with poorer ability of the child to regulate their own emotions, which in turn would lead to increased emotional overeating, but not emotional undereating. Mothers of four- and five-year-olds (N = 221) were recruited through MTurk and Prolific to complete online questionnaires measuring food parenting practices (Comprehensive Feeding Style Questionnaire and Parent Feeding Style Questionnaire), child emotion regulation (Emotion Regulation Checklist), and child emotional eating (Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire). Several mediation models were tested. Parent's use of food to control emotions and behavior was associated with higher levels of emotional overeating, which was mediated by poorer child emotion regulation. However, child emotion regulation did not mediate the association between parent's use of food to control emotions and behavior and the child's emotional undereating. Taken together, these models suggest that parent's use of coercive control with food may lead to child emotional overeating, but not emotional undereating, by teaching children to regulate their emotions through eating rather than more adaptive regulation strategies. Future experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to directly test the nature and direction of these associations and whether coercive control with food teaches children to overeat in response to their emotions in lieu of using appropriate emotion regulation strategies.

Different Eating Habits Are Observed in Overweight and Obese Children Than in Normal-Weight Peers.

Obesity is diagnosed in 13.6% of early primary school children in Poland. Its presence at this age increases the risk of obesity occurrence in adulthood. Therefore, it is important to properly shape eating behaviors at the stage of childhood and identify incorrect eating styles. This study aimed to investigate whether overweight and obese children differ significantly from children with normal body weights in terms of their eating styles. For the materials and methods, 43 mothers of overweight or obese children aged 3-10 years and 88 mothers of normal-weight children aged 3-10 years completed a questionnaire related to sociodemographic factors and the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. The overweight and obese children, compared with normal-weight children, scored higher on the food responsiveness (p = 0.009) and emotional overeating (p = 0.013) scales and lower on the satiety responsiveness (p = 0.025) and slowness in eating scales (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found for other subscales between the studied groups. In the group of overweight and obese children, the child's age correlated negatively with enjoyment of food, as did the mother's BMI with slowness in eating. The results indicate the presence of significant differences in eating styles between normal-weight children and overweight or obese children. Identifying families at high risk of inappropriate eating behaviors and educating them appropriately can reduce the risk of children becoming overweight or obese.

Emotional Eating Prevalence and Correlates in Adolescents in the United States.

Background: Adolescent obesity rates continue to rise. A better understanding of who engages in emotional eating, a maladaptive eating style, is needed. Despite emotional eating being a frequent research target, the prevalence of emotional eating in US adolescents is currently unknown. Methods: Nationally representative adolescents (n = 1622, m = 14.48 years, 63.8% non-Hispanic White, 50.6% female) reported eating behaviors in the National Cancer Institute's Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study. Frequencies and one-way ANOVAs were conducted to examine the rates of emotional eating across demographic and weight status groups. Correlations between emotional eating and dietary intake were examined. Results: In total, 30% of adolescents engaged in emotional eating. Older adolescents (35% of 17-year-olds), females (39%), non-Hispanic White individuals (32%), and adolescents with obesity (44%) had significantly higher rates of emotional eating. Controlling for weight status, greater adolescent emotional eating was correlated with more frequent intake of energy-dense/nutrient-poor foods (β = 0.10, p < 0.001), junk food (β = 0.12, p < 0.001), and convenience foods (β = 0.13, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study fills a critical gap by providing insight into how common adolescent emotional eating is and highlighting demographic factors that are associated with higher rates. Nearly a third of adolescents in the United States reported eating due to anxiety or sadness, with rates higher in older adolescents, girls, non-Hispanic White adolescents, and adolescents with obesity. Emotional eating was associated with consuming less healthy foods, which conveys immediate and long-term health risks. Practitioners can intervene with emotional eating to reduce obesity and comorbid health risks.

Resource use differences of two coexisting chironomid species at localized scales.

Competing species may show positive correlations in abundance through time and space if they rely on a shared resource. Such positive correlations might obscure resource partitioning that facilitates competitor coexistence. Here, we examine the potential for resource partitioning between two ecologically similar midge species (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Lake Mývatn, Iceland. Tanytarsus gracilentus and Chironomus islandicus show large, roughly synchronized population fluctuations, implying potential reliance on a shared fluctuating resource and thereby posing the question of how these species coexist at high larval abundances. We first considered spatial partitioning of larvae. Abundances of both species were positively correlated in space; thus, spatial partitioning across different sites in the lake did not appear to be strong. We then inferred differences in dietary resources with stable carbon isotopes. T. gracilentus larvae had significantly higher δ13C values than C. islandicus, suggesting interspecific differences in resource use. Differences in resource selectivity, tube-building behavior, and feeding styles may facilitate resource partitioning between these species. Relative to surface sediments, T. gracilentus had higher δ13C values, suggesting that they selectively graze on 13C-enriched resources such as productive algae from the surface of their tubes. In contrast, C. islandicus had lower δ13C values than surface sediments, suggesting reliance on 13C-depleted resources that may include detrital organic matter and associated microbes that larvae selectively consume from the sediment surface or within their burrow walls. Overall, our study illustrates that coexisting and ecologically similar species may show positive correlations in space and time while using different resources at fine spatial scales.

Striving for the perfect diet? The mediating role of perfectionism in the relationship between obsessive compulsive symptoms and traits of Orthorexia Nervosa

BackgroundOrthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a disordered eating style involving an unhealthy obsession with ‘healthy’ or ‘clean’ eating. Its aetiology is still poorly understood and is not yet recognised in diagnostic manuals. While ON has been associated with Obsessive Compulsive (OC) symptoms and perfectionism, no study to date has looked at the relationship between OC symptoms and ON tendencies via perfectionism, or the influence of two facets of perfectionism in this relationship, namely evaluative concern and achievement striving. Examining the potential role of perfectionism helps to understand the aetiology of ON as well as inform potential treatments tailored specifically for ON and comorbid OC symptoms.MethodsIn this cross sectional study, we tested 507 participants (n = 70 males, n = 69 at risk of ON) on questionnaires measuring OC symptoms, perfectionism and ON symptoms. We ran two mediation analyses to look at the overall relationship between perfectionism and OC and ON symptoms (Model 1) as well as the specific contribution of evaluative concern and achievement striving in the relationship between OC and ON symptoms (Model 2).ResultsWe found that perfectionism partially mediated the relationship between OC and ON symptoms. Specifically, we found that while achievement striving and evaluative concern were associated with OC symptoms, only achievement striving was significantly associated with ON symptoms, mediating the relationship between OC and ON symptoms.ConclusionsThis study highlighted the role of one key facet of perfectionism (achievement striving) in the aetiology of ON. The role of achievement striving was indicated as a transdiagnostic construct explaining the link between ON and OC symptoms. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for treatment models, specifically in terms of the potential role of targeting perfectionism in ON treatment.

The Effect of Child Picky Eating on Parental Feeding Style in SNAP and Non-SNAP Families With Preschool (3–5 Age) Children

The Effect of Child Picky Eating on Parental Feeding Style in SNAP and Non-SNAP Families With Preschool (3–5 Age) Children