Maternal Child Feeding Practices Research Articles

Maternal Psychosocial care and Child feeding practices

Introduction: Psychosocial care is the process by which caregivers meet the needs of infants in terms of adequate nutrition, emotional, social, mental and healthcare for promoting healthy growth and development. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the influence of psychosocial care during complementary feeding among mothers. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional design, and the sample size was statistically calculated to arrive at 385 mothers. A structured and self-administered questionnaire collected information on socio-economic status and psychosocial care during complementary feeding practices. WHO feeding indicators were used to assess the feeding practices of the mothers. Data were analysed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: The study showed that 52.1% of respondents were between 20 and 29 years old, 88.1% were married, and others were single or divorced mothers. The feeding indicator showed that 21.5% of respondents met the Minimum Adequate Diet. Half of the respondents (50%) monitored the amount of food consumed by the children, while 12.4% encouraged the children to finish the food served. There was an insignificant relationship between maternal psychosocial care and complementary feeding practices (χ2; p>0.05), whereas there was a significant association between maternal psychosocial care and maternal age (χ2; p=0.043) as well as religion (χ2; p=0.031). Conclusion: The study concluded that mothers who had advanced in age had better maternal psychosocial care during complementary feeding than the younger mothers. Therefore, maternal nutrition education on complementary feeding and care during infants’ feeding should be encouraged during antenatal and post-natal clinics.

The temporal stability of maternal parenting style and child feeding practices: A six-wave longitudinal study

Although parenting styles and child feeding practices are conceptualized as distal, static predictors of child eating and weight outcomes, few studies have examined the temporal stability (i.e., change over time) of these parenting measures. Also, parental characteristics, such as mental health or socio-demographics, may make it more or less difficult to sustain consistent parenting behavior. This study examined the temporal stability of parenting styles and child feeding practices and the association between temporal stability indices with maternal sociodemographic and mental health characteristics. The analytic sample included 161 ethnically diverse mothers enrolled in a six-wave bi-annual longitudinal study. During each wave, mothers reported on their parenting styles and child feeding practices using validated self-report questionnaires. Temporal stability indices for parenting styles were moderate for authoritative (ICC = 0.57) and authoritarian (ICC = 0.70) styles, yet high for permissive (ICC = 0.78) styles. Temporal stability scores for child feeding practices were low for discipline (ICC = 0.33), limit setting (ICC = 0.33), monitoring (ICC = 0.36), and pressure to eat (ICC = 0.34); however, restriction (ICC = 0.53) and role modeling of healthy eating were moderate (ICC = 0.73). Greater income and education status were positively associated with stability in authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting styles, as well as with limit setting, monitoring, role modeling of healthy eating, and pressure to eat feeding practices. Higher anxiety and depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem were negatively associated with permissive parenting styles and role modeling of healthy eating. Findings show that maternal parenting styles and child feeding practices fluctuate over time, and sociodemographic and mental health characteristics are related to stability of some of these parenting styles and behaviors.

Maternal mental health is associated with children's frequency of family meals at 12 and 24 months of age.

Diet during the child's first years is important for growth and development. In toddlerhood, higher diet quality is reported among children eating meals together with family. Although previous literature has documented several associations between maternal mental health and early child feeding practices, less is known about the relationship between maternal mental health and child frequency of shared family meals. This study explores associations between maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression, measured by The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (SCL-8), and toddler participation in family meals. We used cross-sectional data from the Norwegian study Early Food for Future Health, in which participants responded to questionnaires at child age 12 (n = 455) and 24 months (n = 295). Logistic regression was used to explore associations between maternal mental health and child having regular (≥5 per week) or irregular (<5 per week) family meals (breakfast and dinner), adjusting for relevant child and maternal confounding variables. Children of mothers with higher scores of anxiety and depression had higher odds of Irregular family meals at both timepoints; (OR: 2.067, p = 0.015) and (OR: 2.444, p = 0.023). This is one of few studies exploring associations between maternal mental health and child frequency of shared family meals in early childhood, a period where the foundation for life-long health is shaped. Given the high prevalence of mental ailments and disorders, these findings are important and may inform future public health interventions. Further exploration of this relation is needed, including longitudinal research to test predictive associations and qualitative studies to increase insight and understanding.

Relation of Maternal Temperament, Body Dissatisfaction, and Concern About Child’s Weight to Maternal Child Feeding Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study

Child feeding practices are effective in children’s eating. This study examines the relation of maternal temperament, body dissatisfaction, and concern about child’s weight to child feeding practices. The sample comprised 3- to 6-year-old children and mothers. The Child Feeding Questionnaire, Nine Types Temperament Model, and Stunkard Figure Rating Scale were used. Correlation and regression were conducted. Parental perceived responsibilities and controlling increased as concerns about child’s weight increased. Type 1 and 3 temperaments seeking perfection and an admirable image, respectively, displayed more restriction. The findings demonstrate the need for considering temperament during interventions for child feeding practices as well as healthier body image.

Strengthening Nutrition Interventions during Antenatal Care Improved Maternal Dietary Diversity and Child Feeding Practices in Urban Bangladesh: Results of a Quasi-Experimental Evaluation Study

BackgroundBangladesh is urbanizing rapidly, facing challenges of malnutrition, low coverage and poor quality of urban nutrition services. ObjectivesWe assessed the effect of integrating maternal, infant, and young child nutrition interventions, delivered at urban Maternal Neonatal and Child Health facilities, on maternal dietary diversity, iron and folic acid (IFA) and calcium consumption, and child feeding practices. MethodsWe used a quasi-experimental design with a nonrandom assignment of 20 health care facilities in Dhaka to intensive and standard service arms. We conducted facility-based observations and community-based surveys at baseline (2020) and endline (2022) (n = 2455 observations and surveys with 1678 pregnant women [PW] or recently delivered women [RDW] at endline). We derived difference-in-difference (DID) estimates, adjusted for characteristics that differed at baseline or endline, and accounted for clustering. ResultsExposure to antenatal care (ANC) was similar in both arms: two-thirds of RDW received ANC during the first trimester and three-fourths received ≥4 ANC checkups. Compared to the standard arm, a higher proportion of PW in the intensive arm received counseling on dietary diversity (DID: 45 percentage points [pp]), and a higher proportion of RDW received IFA (25 pp) and calcium supplementation (19 pp), showed adequate weight gain (44 pp), and recorded appropriate child feeding (27 pp). Improvements were greater in the intensive than the standard arm for the number of food groups consumed (DID: 1.1 food groups) and minimum dietary diversity (23 pp); no effect was observed for IFA and calcium consumption during pregnancy. However, effects were observed for early initiation of (20 pp) and exclusive breastfeeding (45 pp), introduction of solid or semisolid foods (28 pp), and egg and/or flesh food consumption (33 pp) among children. Minimum dietary diversity and acceptable diet remained low in both arms. ConclusionsIntensifying nutrition in government-aligned health care services delivered by experienced nongovernmental organization-run facilities is a feasible model to address the urban health gap, nutrition services coverage, and improve practices.The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03882268.

Maternal depression and child feeding practices: Determinants to malnutrition among young children in Malaysian rural area.

Maternal depression may affect child feeding practices and growth. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between child feeding practices and current maternal depression with malnutrition among young children in a rural community. This is a case-control study consisting of 52 Malay mothers of malnourished children (case) and 50 Malay mothers of well-nourished children (control) in Kuala Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. Structured questionnaires on child feeding practices and Beck Depression Inventory: Second Edition questionnaire were distributed to mothers. Depressed mothers stopped exclusive breastfeeding (2.8 ± 2.1 months) earlier than non-depressed mothers (3.7 ± 2.0 months; p = 0.045). Binary logistic regression analysis showed current maternal depression was a primary contributor associated with risk of malnutrition in children (adjusted odds ratio: 2.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-6.09), and followed by the number of children (adjusted odds ratio: 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.77). Mothers who experienced depression were twice as likely to have malnourished children. Each additional child in the family will increase the risk of malnutrition by 1.3 times. Maternal depression is associated with child feeding practices and malnutrition among young children in the studied population. Preliminary screening to identify depression symptoms should be conducted to all mothers as early as the first trimester to prevent the incidence of malnutrition in children.

Relationship between caesarean section delivery and risk of overweight/obesity among children aged 6-23 months in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana.

The recent exponential increase in caesarean section (CS) rates in many countries including Ghana requires an understanding of the potential long-term consequences on child health. The present study investigated the relationship between CS delivery and risk of childhood overweight/obesity. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020 in Ghana. Using multi-stage sampling, 553 mother-child pairs aged 6-23 months were selected from ten health facilities during child welfare clinic (CWC) services. We assessed the association between delivery mode (caesarean v. vaginal) and subsequent body mass index for age (BMI/age Z-score) using hierarchical multivariable linear regression analysis. The prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI/age Z-score > +2 sd) in children was 3⋅6 %. After adjusting for maternal gestational weight gain, macrosomia and child feeding practices, children who were born through CS had mean BAZ which was 0⋅105 standard units significantly higher than their colleagues who were delivered through normal vaginal [beta coefficient (β) 0⋅105, (95 % CI 0⋅03, 0⋅55)]. CS birth was also associated with 3⋅2 times higher odds of overweight/obesity than vaginal delivery (AOR 3⋅23; 95 % CI 1⋅14, 9⋅13). Consequently, CS delivery was associated positively with increased body mass (adiposity) in the study sample. The association between CS delivery and risk of childhood obesity was attenuated after adjusting for macrosomia. These results would be important for informing clinicians and expectant mothers in considering CS delivery.

Fathers and grandmothers experiences participating in nutrition peer dialogue groups in Vihiga County, Kenya.

Grandmothers and fathers are key influencers of maternal and child nutrition and are increasingly included in interventions. Yet, there is limited research exploring their experiences participating in interventions. This study reports on findings from a qualitative process evaluation of a quasi‐experimental study that we conducted with grandmother and father peer dialogue groups to support maternal, infant and young child feeding practices in western Kenya. The aim was to explore grandmother and father experiences participating in interventions and how participation influences care and feeding practices. Grandmother and father peer educators received training to facilitate discussions about maternal and child nutrition, HIV and infant feeding, family communication, and family members' roles. Father peer educators also received training on gender inequities and power dynamics. In the original quasi‐experimental study, the intervention was associated with increased social support and improvements in some complementary feeding practices. The process evaluation explored participants' experiences and how participation influenced infant care and feeding practices. We used Atlas.ti to thematically analyse data from 18 focus group discussions. The focus group discussions revealed that grandmothers and fathers valued their groups, the topics discussed and what they learned. Grandmothers reported improved infant feeding and hygiene practices, and fathers reported increased involvement in child care and feeding and helping with household tasks. Both described improved relationships with daughters‐in‐law or wives. This study highlights the importance of engaging influential family members to support child nutrition and identifies factors to build cohesion among group members, by building on grandmothers' roles as advisors and expanding fathers' roles in nutrition through gender transformative activities.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire in Mexican mothers of preschool children

Introduction: identifying maternal attitudes and behaviors related to child feeding could be difficult since the underlying constructs are abstract and complex. Different questionnaires have been used to identify these constructs: one of the most widely used is the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ), which had been validated in different populations. However, no previous study ever validated the CFPQ in Mexican mothers. Material and methods: a process of cultural adaptation was done to adapt the CFPQ to Mexican mothers, and subsequently a confirmatory factor analysis was done. A total of 300 mother-preschooler pairs participated. Weight and height were measured and the nutritional status was obtained. Results: the CFPQ is a useful questionnaire to identify child feeding practices, since the model's goodness of fit indices were acceptable (CFI = 0.943, TLI = 0.937, NFI = 0.874 and RMSEA = 0.042), as was the internal consistency of the CFPQ. Conclusion: the CFPQ version that was translated into Spanish and adapted to Mexican mothers demonstrated significant internal reliability, and therefore is useful to identify and describe maternal child-feeding practices.

Magnitude of Child Food Insecurity, Its Association with Child Immunization and Huosehold wealth Status, and Coping Strategies In Dabat Demographic and Surveillance System North West Ethiopia.

Background The magnitude of food insecurity in Ethiopia ranges from 38.7% to 82.3% among the general population. Children under the age of five years were more prone to food insecurity and its serious consequences like anemia, low bone density, frequent episodes of common cold, stomachache, poor educational performance, and dental carries in developing countries like Ethiopia. However, there is no any research finding that documented the magnitude of child food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was estimating the magnitude of child food insecurity, major coping strategies, and factors associated with child food insecurity in the study area. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey has been conducted in Dabat demographic and health surveillance site among 7152 mothers/caretakers of children under the age of five years. Data were collected by experienced data collectors working for the demographic and health surveillance site, and the collected data were entered into EpiData template and then transported to Stata 14 software for data cleaning and analysis. The ordinal logistic regression model was fitted to identify predictors for child food insecurity. Results About 21.42% of children under the age of five years were food insecure in Dabat district of whom 57.8%, 38.6%, and 3.6% had experienced mild, moderate, and severe levels of child food insecurity, respectively. All most all 1391 (92%) of the mothers/caretakers of food insecure children had practiced food insecurity coping strategies. More than half (57%) of mothers/caretakers reduces the size of child meal as insecurity coping strategy. Child food insecurity was associated with household wealth status, parent's education status, and maternal and child health service utilization and child feeding practices. Conclusion A large segment of under-five children had experienced food insecurity in Dabat district, and the major coping strategy for child food insecurity was reducing meal size. Therefore, working on household wealth improvement and expansion of basic health services would improve child food security.

Maternal nutritional status and child feeding practices: a retrospective study in Santal communities, Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

BackgroundIn West Bengal, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) 2015-16, undernutrition and anemia are particularly common among scheduled tribe women and children. The purpose of this research is to assess the nutritional status of Adivasi mothers and child feeding patterns, relevant for clinical practice and the design of future preventive actions. These baseline characteristics were obtained in the scope of a feeding trial aimed at improving the hemoglobin concentration of the index child (6–39 months).MethodsIn February 2015, the baseline survey was conducted in 21 tribal villages. In total, 288 mothers and 307 children were recruited for their hemoglobin levels (HemoCue Hb201+), as well as anthropometric indices height/length, weight and MUAC. By questionnaire-based interview aspects on child feeding practices, childcare, family scheduling, and prenatal care were elucidated.ResultsThe majority of mothers belong to the Santal tribe (93.8%). Nearly half of mothers suffered from underweight including severe forms (BMI < 18.5: 49.4%), and the majority of mothers were anemic (Hb < 12 g/dl: 86.2%). Similarly, undernutrition was highly prevalent among the index children. Ever breastfeeding was almost universal in the study area (99.6%), with all infants aged < 12 months at the time of the interview still being breastfed. The majority of children were breastfed within the first hour after birth (75.7%), still every third child (32.2%) was deprived of colostrum. Merely 32.9% of infants were exclusively breastfed for 6 months (180 days) according to the recommendations of the WHO/UNICEF. When relating to the proposed complementary feeding (CF) indicator then 89.6% of children have received CF (mainly family foods/biscuits/plain rice) during the first 6 to 8 months, and 46.8% of children aged 6 to 23 months fulfilled the minimum acceptable diet (2 to 3 meals per day and ≥ 4 food groups per day), corresponding to 58.1% among children aged 12 to 23 months versa 25% among infants aged 6 to 11 months.ConclusionThe maternal nutritional status was poor and showed interrelations with the nutritional status of the index child. Inadequate feeding and caring practices were common. In particular the younger age group (< 12 months) was found at risk of being offered inadequate CF, which needs to be tackled by future programs.Trial registrationThe trial was retrospectively registered at the German Clinical Trials Register on the 1st July 2019 (DRKS00017388).

Social circumstances and cultural beliefs influence maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and child feeding practices in South Africa

BackgroundMaternal and child undernutrition remain prevalent in developing countries with 45 and 11% of child deaths linked to poor nutrition and suboptimal breastfeeding, respectively. This also has adverse effects on child growth and development. The study determined maternal dietary diversity, breastfeeding and, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and identified reasons for such behavior in five rural communities in South Africa, in the context of cultural beliefs and social aspects.MethodsThe study used mixed methodology technique. Questionnaires were administered to 84 households, pairing mother/caregiver and a child (0–24 months old) to obtain information on maternal dietary diversity, IYCF and breastfeeding practices. Qualitative data on breastfeeding perceptions, IYCF practices, perceived eating habits for lactating mothers and cultural beliefs related to mothers’ decision on IYCF and breastfeeding practices were obtained through focus group discussions.ResultsMaternal dietary diversity was very low and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life was rarely practiced, with young children exposed to poor-quality diets lacking essential nutrients for child growth and development. Social circumstances including lack of income, dependence on food purchasing, young mothers’ feelings regarding breastfeeding and cultural beliefs were the major drivers of mothers’ eating habits, breastfeeding behaviour and IYCF practices. Fathers were left out in breastfeeding and IYCF decision making and young mothers were unwilling to employ indigenous knowledge when preparing food (especially traditional foods) and feeding their children.ConclusionThe study provides comprehensive information for South African context that can be used as an intervention measure to fight against malnutrition in young children. Finding a balance between mothers’ income, dietary diversity, cultural beliefs, breastfeeding and considering life of lactating mothers so that they won’t feel burdened and isolated when breastfeeding and taking care of their children is crucial. Paternal inclusion in breastfeeding decisions and safeguarding indigenous knowledge on IYCF practices is recommended.

Hunger in the household: Food insecurity and associations with maternal eating and toddler feeding.

Research is needed to identify how food insecurity affects maternal eating behavior and child feeding practices, factors that may pose intergenerational risks for obesity. This longitudinal study investigated whether maternal restrained eating mediated the association between household food insecurity and feeding practices. Participants included 277 WIC-eligible mothers (69% below the poverty line, 70% African American) and their toddlers (Mage = 20.11 months, SD = 5.50) participating in a childhood obesity prevention trial. Maternal reports of household food insecurity, restrained eating, and child feeding practices (restrictive and responsive) were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months and analyzed using multilevel mediation. Forty percent of mothers reported some degree of household food insecurity over 12 months. Within-person analyses showed that relative increases in household food insecurity were indirectly related to increases in restrictive and decreases in responsive child feeding practices, mediated through increases in mothers' own restrained eating. Relative change in household food insecurity (rather than overall severity) appears to have indirect effects on toddler feeding practices, through mothers' own eating. Stable household food security without transient food insecurity may improve health and wellbeing for both mothers and children.

The explanatory role of maternal feeding practices: do they explain ethnic differences in body weight of preadolescents?

IntroductionThis study aimed to explore the role of ethnicity and maternal perceived weight status in the association between maternal child feeding practices and childhood Body Mass Index (BMI) at the age of 11–12 years in a multi-ethnic population. MethodsWe collected data on child feeding practices by the validated Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) among 2398 mothers of adolescents (Mage = 11.2, SDage = 0.6). Multivariate linear analyses were used to determine the cross-sectional association between child feeding practices (‘Restriction’, ‘Pressure to eat’, and ‘Monitoring’), maternal perception of child's weight status, SDS-BMI, and ethnicity. Results‘Restriction’ (β = 0.16; 95% CI [0.11; 0.20]) and ‘Pressure to eat’ (β = −0.32 [-0.36;-0.28]) were significantly associated with child SDS-BMI. Both associations were strongly influenced by the mother's perception of child's weight status. Besides, non-native Dutch mothers performed significantly higher levels of ‘Restriction’ (M±SD = 12.17 ± 4.41) and ‘Pressure to eat’ (10.75 ± 4.03) compared to native Dutch mothers (11.25 ± 4.15 and 9.99 ± 3.83, respectively). Native Dutch mothers performed higher levels of ‘Monitoring’ (17.15 ± 2.54) compared to non-native Dutch mothers (16.73 ± 3.01). Furthermore, children of non-native Dutch mothers had a 0.15 (0.27; 0.46) higher SDS-BMI. Finally, results showed that the association between ‘Pressure to eat’ and SDS-BMI was stronger in native Dutch mothers (β = −0.20; 95% CI [-0.24; −0.15]) compared to non-native Dutch mothers (β = −0.11; 95% CI [-0.18; −0.04]). Discussion and conclusionEthnic differences in childhood BMI seemed to be partially attributable to the maternal perception of her child's weight status. Besides, maternal perception of child's weight appeared to play an important role in the association between maternal child feeding practices and childhood SDS-BMI. Hence, our findings contribute to the growing evidence concerning the bi-directional association between child feeding practices and childhood BMI.

Assessment of undernutrition using composite index of anthropometric failure among children less than 5 years in an urban slum, Visakhapatnam

Background: Under nutrition continues to be a major public health problem in India despite years of incessant preventive measures. Composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) provides the burden of under nutrition as a single measure and helps in detection of children with multiple anthropometric failures. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of under nutrition using CIAF as compared to conventional indicators and to identify the risk factors associated with Anthropometric Failure.Methods: This was a community based, cross sectional descriptive study on Under 5 children done in the urban slum area under Allipuram Urban Health Centre, Visakhapatnam, A.P. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight and mid upper arm circumference) were taken and mothers of the study children were interviewed to obtain relevant information. WHO Z-score system and the CIAF were used to estimate the magnitude of under-nutrition.Results: Out of 100 children, 56 children were suffering from under nutrition according to CIAF. Analysis of various factors showed that low birth weight, lesser duration of breast feeding, low education level of mother, over crowding and low socio economic status were significantly associated with under nutrition assessed by CIAF.Conclusions: CIAF provides the actual prevalence or proportion of undernourished children in a community. So CIAF must be included in regular recordings of health status of children. The study also reinforces the importance of appropriate maternal care, proper infant and child feeding practices and family planning services in prevention of under nutrition.

Additive effects of household food insecurity during pregnancy and infancy on maternal infant feeding styles and practices

Food insecurity, or the limited access to food, has been associated with maternal child feeding styles and practices. While studies in other parenting domains suggest differential and additive impacts of poverty-associated stressors during pregnancy and infancy, few studies have assessed relations between food insecurity during these sensitive times and maternal infant feeding styles and practices. This study sought to analyze these relations in low-income Hispanic mother-infant pairs enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of an early obesity prevention program (Starting Early). Food insecurity was measured prenatally and during infancy at 10 months. Food insecurity timing was categorized as never, prenatal only, infancy only, or both. Regression analyses were used to determine relations between food insecurity timing and styles and practices at 10 months, using never experiencing food insecurity as the reference, adjusting for family characteristics and material hardships. 412 mother-infant pairs completed 10-month assessments. Prolonged food insecurity during both periods was associated with greater pressuring, indulgent and laissez-faire styles compared to never experiencing food insecurity. Prenatal food insecurity was associated with less vegetable and more juice intake. If food insecurity is identified during pregnancy, interventions to prevent food insecurity from persisting into infancy may mitigate the development of obesity-promoting feeding styles and practices.

Maternal–Child Feeding Practices and Associations With Maternal and Child Characteristics

We evaluated associations between maternal child-feeding practices and maternal (age, body mass index [BMI], education, disordered eating) and child (age, BMI, emotional and behavioral) characteristics in 412 mothers and their children using the Parental Feeding Practices, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaires. Maternal BMI was positively correlated with covert control feeding practices. Younger maternal age and lower maternal educational level were associated with increased maternal pressure to eat and overt control in their child-feeding practices. Maternal disordered eating behaviors were associated with increased restriction and covert control in their child-feeding practices. Maternal monitoring during child feeding was associated with lower levels of the child’s problems with internalization and externalization. Finally, maternal feeding practices that involved covert control were related to higher eating restriction by the mother on herself and more maternal concern about her child’s weight. Our findings suggest that maternal feeding practices such as overt and covert control are related to both maternal and child factors. Clinicians must become aware that these maternal feeding practices can model children’s eating behavior and disrupt children’s self-regulation of food intake; however, maternal monitoring during child feeding seems to be related to children’s well-being.

Eating, feeding, and feeling: emotional responsiveness mediates longitudinal associations between maternal binge eating, feeding practices, and child weight

BackgroundAlthough it is known that maternal disordered eating is related to restrictive feeding practices, there is little research exploring mechanisms for this association or its effects on other feeding practices. The purpose of this study was to assess whether maternal emotion responses mediate the association between maternal binge eating (BE) and child feeding practices, in order to identify potential risk factors for feeding practices that influence child weight.MethodsThis longitudinal observational study included (n = 260) mothers and children from the STRONG Kids Panel Survey. At Wave 1, children were an average of 37 months old (SD = 6.9), and at Wave 2 children were an average of 57 months old (SD = 8.3). Mothers self-reported their frequency of binge eating behavior (Wave 1), responses to children’s negative emotions (Wave 1), feeding practices (Wave 1 and Wave 2), and child height and weight were measured at both time points. Using bias-corrected bootstrapping procedures, we tested the hypothesis that longitudinal associations between maternal BE and nonresponsive parent feeding practices would be mediated by parents’ unsupportive responses to children’s negative emotion. We also tested a serial mediation model positing that maternal BE predicts child body mass index (BMI) percentile change 18-24 months later, indirectly through unsupportive responses to negative emotion and nonresponsive feeding practices.ResultsMaternal BE predicted use of more nonresponsive feeding practices (e.g. Emotion Regulation, Restriction for Health, Pressure to Eat, and Food as Reward), indirectly through more Distress responses to children’s negative emotions. In the serial mediation model, maternal BE was associated with greater use of Distress responses, which indirectly predicted higher child BMI percentile through Food as Reward feeding practices.ConclusionsThese results suggest that maternal eating and emotion responsiveness are important for understanding the interpersonal context of feeding behaviors, and child weight outcomes. Distress responses may serve as a risk factor for use of unhealthful feeding practices among mothers with BE and these responses may increase children’s risk for weight gain.Trial registrationThis study used an observational prospective design. Therefore, it has not been registered as a clinical intervention trial.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-016-0415-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Eating, feeling, and feeding: Does maternal binge eating predict use of child feeding practices through emotional responsiveness?

Eating, feeling, and feeding: Does maternal binge eating predict use of child feeding practices through emotional responsiveness?

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Child Feeding Practices in Young Children: A Systematic Review of the Literature

ObjectiveDeveloping healthy child feeding and eating behaviors early in life is an important strategy in the prevention of childhood obesity. Parents, especially mothers, shape their children's early feeding and eating behaviors, and ultimately their weight status in many ways. Given the high prevalence of depression and elevated depressive symptoms among women of childbearing age, and the growing evidence linking maternal depressive symptoms to potentially detrimental maternal feeding practices related to the risk of childhood obesity, the current systematic literature review sought to identify and summarize studies focusing on the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child feeding practices among preschool aged children.MethodsFollowing guidelines by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) we searched academic databases including PsycINFO, PscyARTICLES, Medline, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAIL) for studies examining the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child feeding practices of mothers with preschoolers. Papers were limited to peer‐reviewed, published in English between January 2000 and November 2015. Only studies with normally developing children between the ages of 18 and 60 months of age were eligible for inclusion regardless of status (SES) or maternal nationality. Ten full‐text articles were selected for review from a total of 352 articles identified. Information on study aims, sample, measures of maternal depressive symptoms and child feeding practices, and findings was systematically abstracted from papers and summarized into tables.ResultsOverall results of this systematic review show that maternal depressive symptoms are related to detrimental feeding practices including more controlling feeding practices (pressure &amp; restriction), especially among girls, and negative feeding behaviors (less involved and disorganized practices) such as lower control over child eating routines, lower maternal presence during child's meals, and negative mealtime practices such as child eating breakfast inconsistently, increased sweetened beverage intake, and the use of food as reward. In addition, findings suggest that the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child feeding practices differ across child gender, with some studies showing that maternal depressive symptoms are related to more controlling feeding practices (i.e., pressure to and food restriction), especially among girls. Methodological inconsistencies across studies related to assessment of maternal depressive symptoms (exposure) and maternal feeding practices (outcome) emerged as main methodological issue limiting further comparison of findings across studies.ConclusionGiven that both maternal depressive symptoms and child feeding practices are modifiable, understanding their relationships to child eating behaviors and weight status may represent an important strategy for preventing and reducing childhood obesity.