Parental Feeding Styles Research Articles

Diet, growth, nutritional status and predictors of severity of feeding difficulties in autistic children with co-occurring pediatric feeding disorder

BackgroundFeeding difficulties are commonly reported in autistic children. However, there is limited data on the presentation, severity, and impact of feeding difficulties in autistic children in Asia. AimsTo describe the dietary patterns, growth and nutritional status of autistic children with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), and identify factors associated with more severe feeding difficulties. Study designA retrospective review of electronic medical records. SubjectsAutistic children (aged between 0 and 18 years) with PFD, who attended a multidisciplinary feeding clinic between August 2013 and December 2022. Outcome measuresThe children's parents provided a 3-day food diary, which was verified by the dietitian and analyzed for their nutritional content using Foodworks 10 Professional. Food selectivity was classified as mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of food groups accepted and the absolute number of foods accepted in each group. Information regarding demographics, height, weight, medical information, developmental history (autism diagnosis, cognition, adaptive skills) and relevant nutritional bloodwork were collected. Parents also completed two validated questionnaires (the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS), which assessed childhood mealtime behaviors; and the Caregiver Feeding Style Questionnaire (CFSQ), which determined caregiver/ parental feeding styles). Factors associated with higher BPFAS total frequency scores (TFS) (representing more severe feeding difficulties) and food selectivity were analyzed. ResultsThere were a total of 98 patients (82 males), with mean ± SD (range) age of 59.2 ± 27.5 (17–169) months. They had mild (19.4 %), moderate (22.4 %) and severe (58.2 %) food selectivity, respectively. While the majority had normal weight (84.7 %) and height (88.8 %) for age, 69.4 % had diets deficient in calories, macronutrients or micronutrients (iron, calcium). Comparison between groups according to parental feeding style found that there was a significant difference in BFPAS TFS between different parental feeding styles (p < 0.001). Post-hoc testing revealed that parents who reported an authoritarian parental feeding style on the CFSQ were significantly more likely to report higher frequencies of difficult feeding behaviors on the BPFAS (98.3 ± 15.8), while an uninvolved parental feeding style was associated with the lowest BPFAS TFS (80.9 ± 11.0), Bonferroni-adjusted p < 0.001; indulgent (p = 0.012) and authoritative (p = 0.096). Intellectual impairment and Malay ethnicity were associated with more severe food selectivity [adjusted odds ratio 123.7 (95 % CI 3.09–4945.4, p = 0.01) and 38.0 (95 % CI 1.35–1074.18, p = 0.03)], respectively. ConclusionsIn this retrospective cohort, autistic children with PFD were at significant nutritional risk despite demonstrating normal growth patterns, with specific patient profiles being associated with more severe feeding difficulties.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Hubungan Pola Asuh Orang Tua Dalam Pemberian Makan Dengan Kejadian Stunting Pada Balita Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Palasari Kabupaten Subang

The youth was very closely linked to growth and development. A balanced nutritional intake is required to ensure that the baby grows well. While nutritional deficiencies in the first year of growth can lead to irreparable effects. Stunting has become one of many nutritional problems. Stunting is a growing childhood problem caused by recurrent infections and chronic malnutrition. The study aims to find out the relationship between parental care patterns in feeding and stunting incidents in balita (rangge 1-5 year). This research used cross sectional research designs with correlational quantitative research methods. The study used the observation sheet and parenting feeding styles questionnaire (PFSQ) using the accidental sampling approach with a total sample of 62 parents who have case in the Puskesmas Work Territory of Palasari Subang District. This study used data analysis of the Chi Square correlation test. The results of the study showed that the majority gave democratic parental care, 25 (40.3 %) and most did not experience 36 stunts (58.1 %). The analysis of the Chi Square correlation test obtained p value= 0,000 (p&lt;0.05), which indicated that the pattern of parental care in feeding had something to do with the occurrence of stunts in young children. It can be concluded that parental care can decrease incidence of stuntingand recommeended to take the right action to increasehealth for balita (rangge 1-5 year)

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire.

There are no validated instruments in Spain for measuring parental feeding styles. The aim was to validate the Parental Feeding Styles Questionnaires (PFSQ) in a Spanish sample. A total of 523 mothers of 523 school-children participated. The children had a mean age of 4.4 years (SD = 1.3), with 51% being boys (M = 4.3 years, SD = 1.4) and 49% girls (M = 4.5 years, = SD 1.3). The PFSQ and the Comprehensive General Parenting Styles Questionnaire (CGPQ) were used. A model of four correlated factors was identified: Prompting/encouraging eating, emotional feeding, instrumental feeding, and control over eating. Cronbach's alpha for the subscales ranged from 0.64 to 0.86, and McDonald's Omega coefficient ranged from 0.66 to 0.86. Emotional feeding and prompting/encouraging eating had values above 0.70, control over eating had a value of 0.68 and instrumental feeding had an alpha coefficient of 0.64 and omega coefficient of 0.66. The factor structure was similar to the original and to other adapted versions. The Spanish sample used more control over eating and prompting/encouraging to eat. The adapted PFSQ is a suitable instrument for assessing the feeding styles of Spanish parents.

Effectiveness of a Parent-Based eHealth Intervention for Physical Activity, Dietary Behavior, and Sleep Among Preschoolers: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Preschoolers' lifestyles have become physically inactive and sedentary, their eating habits have become unhealthy, and their sleep routines have become increasingly disturbed. Parent-based interventions have shown promise to improve physical activity (PA), improve dietary behavior (DB), and reduce sleep problems among preschoolers. However, because of the recognized obstacles of face-to-face approaches (eg, travel costs and time commitment), easy access and lower costs make eHealth interventions appealing. Previous studies that examined the effectiveness of parent-based eHealth for preschoolers' PA, DB, and sleep have either emphasized 1 variable or failed to balance PA, DB, and sleep modules and consider the intervention sequence during the intervention period. There is an acknowledged gap in parent-based eHealth interventions that target preschoolers raised in Chinese cultural contexts. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a parent-based eHealth intervention for PA, DB, and sleep problems among Chinese preschoolers. This 2-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial comprises a 12-week intervention with a 12-week follow-up. A total of 206 parent-child dyads will be randomized to either an eHealth intervention group or a control group. Participants allocated to the eHealth intervention group will receive 12 interactive modules on PA, DB, and sleep, with each module delivered on a weekly basis to reduce the sequence effect on variable outcomes. The intervention is grounded in social cognitive theory. It will be delivered through social media, where parents can obtain valid and updated educational information, have a social rapport, and interact with other group members and facilitators. Participants in the control group will receive weekly brochures on PA, DB, and sleep recommendations from kindergarten teachers, but they will not receive any interactive components. Data will be collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome will be preschoolers' PA. The secondary outcomes will be preschoolers' DB, preschoolers' sleep duration, preschoolers' sleep problems, parents' PA, parenting style, and parental feeding style. Parent-child dyads were recruited in September 2023. Baseline and posttest data collection occurred from October 2023 to March 2024. The follow-up data will be obtained in June 2024. The results of the study are expected to be published in 2025. The parent-based eHealth intervention has the potential to overcome the barriers of face-to-face interventions and will offer a novel approach for promoting a healthy lifestyle among preschoolers. If this intervention is found to be efficacious, the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among preschoolers may be alleviated at a low cost, which not only has a positive influence on the health of individuals and the well-being of the family but also reduces the financial pressure on society to treat diseases caused by poor lifestyle habits. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06025019; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06025019. DERR1-10.2196/58344.

Association between parental feeding styles, body mass index, and consumption of fruits, vegetables and processed foods with mothers´ perceptions of feeding difficulties in children

BackgroundFeeding difficulties (FDs) are complex phenomena influenced by parental factors, feeding behaviour, and cultural factors. However, studies of the influences of these factors on FDs incidence are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to identify the associations between mothers’ perceptions of FDs in children and parental feeding styles, body mass index, and the consumption of fruits, vegetables and processed foods.MethodTwo hundred and fifty-seven mothers of children aged 1 to 6 years and 11 months participated in this cross-sectional study and self-completed electronic questionnaires on sociographic variables, parental feeding styles, the consumption of fruits, vegetables and processed foods and FDs. Nutritional status was classified by body mass index (kg/m2).ResultsThe prevalence of FDs in children was 48.2%, and the mean age was 43.8 (± 17.6) months. The indulgent parental feeding style was the most common (40.1%), followed by the authoritative (31.1%), authoritarian (23.7%), and uninvolved (5.1%) styles. An indulgent parental feeding style (OR: 4.66; 95% CI: 2.20–9.85), a high body mass index (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.09–1.68), and the consumption of processed foods (OR: 5.21; 95% CI: 2.85–9.53) were positively associated with increased odds of the absence of FDs in children. The associations of authoritarian and uninvolved parental feeding styles and the consumption of fruits and vegetables with FDs in children were not significant.ConclusionThis study identified multiple factors that are possibly associated with feeding behaviours in young children. However, further studies need to be undertaken to evaluate how such behaviours affect FDs.

Associations of Appetitive Traits and Parental Feeding Style With Diet Quality During Early Childhood

BackgroundAppetitive traits and parent feeding styles are associated with body mass index in children, yet their associations with child diet quality are unclear. ObjectiveThe objective was to examine relations of appetitive traits and parental feeding style with diet quality in 3.5-year-old children. DesignThe study was a secondary, cross-sectional analysis of data from Sprouts, a follow-up study of the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study (PEAS). Birthing parents completed the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire, Caregiver’s Feeding Styles Questionnaire, and proxy 24-hour dietary recalls for their children from February 2019 to December 2020. Participants/settingParticipants were 162 birthing parents (early pregnancy BMI ≥ 18.5 and absence of preexisting diabetes, any medical condition contraindicating study participation, self-reported eating disorder, or medications that could affect diet or weight) and their children living in North Carolina. Main outcome measuresHealthy Eating Index—2015 (HEI-2015) total scores were calculated. Statistical analyses performedPath modeling was conducted using PROC CALIS with full information maximum likelihood (FIML) to account for missing data (< 2% of all data in dataset). Associations of child appetitive traits and parental feeding style with child HEI-2015 scores, adjusting for exclusive breastfeeding duration and household income–poverty ratio, were examined. Tests of simple effects were conducted in subsamples split by parental feeding style. Hypotheses were formulated during data collection. ResultsA 1-standard deviation (SD) greater food fussiness was associated with a 2.4-point lower HEI-2015 total score (P = .02; 95% confidence interval [CI] [–4.32, –0.48]) in children. When parental feeding style was authoritarian, a 1-SD greater food responsiveness was associated with a 4.1-point higher HEI-2015 total score (P = .007; 95% CI [1.12, 7.01]) in children. When parental feeding style was authoritative, a 1-SD greater slowness in eating was associated with a 5.8-point lower HEI-2015 total score (P = .01; 95% CI [–10.26, –1.33]) in children. ConclusionsParental feeding style may modify the association of appetitive traits with diet quality in young children. Future research could determine whether matching parent feeding styles to child appetitive trait profiles improves child diet quality.

Nutritional status, feeding behavior, and oral conditions in preschool children exposed to secondhand smoke

ABSTRACT This study evaluated whether the nutritional status of preschoolers is influenced by secondhand smoke. Pairs of mothers-children (N = 201) were allocated in “children exposed to secondhand smoke (ESHS)” or “not exposed (N_ESHS).” Mothers answered, “The Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ).” The nutritional status and oral conditions were evaluated using WHO criteria. ESHS was 3.5 more likely to have a high BMI and their mothers had 10 kg more than N_ESHS. The probability of having dental caries was 2.28 and 3.68 times greater when the mother’s BMI increases and when family/mothers were smokers, independently whether they smoke in the child’s presence.

A study to assess the associations between parental feeding styles and childhood eating habits: A survey of preschool children (3-5yrs of age) at north Karnataka

A study to assess the associations between parental feeding styles and childhood eating habits: A survey of preschool children (3-5yrs of age) at north Karnataka

Factors Affecting the Prediction of Eating Behavior in Children: Stepwise Regression Analysis on Parental Feeding Styles

Factors Affecting the Prediction of Eating Behavior in Children: Stepwise Regression Analysis on Parental Feeding Styles

Association of Maternal Feeding Style with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Saudi Preschoolers: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Parental feeding style (PFS) remarkably influences fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption in preschoolers. This study aimed to determine the association between PFS and preschoolers' F&V consumption, as influenced by socioeconomic factors. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted among 1418 mothers of children aged 3-5 years in Saudi Arabia. Multinomial logistic regression model analysis was performed to assess the association between PFS and children's daily F&V intake using the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire. The influence of socioeconomic factors on this association was also evaluated. For mothers with university degrees, encouragement, emotional, and instrumental feeding enhanced their children's intake of F&Vs, fruits, and vegetables, respectively. Children from families earning SAR >10,000 monthly had increased F&V intake with encouragement feeding and increased fruit intake with emotional feeding. However, F&V intake was reduced in children of working mothers with controlling feeding styles. Breastfeeding for <6 months was associated with increased F&V intake through emotional feeding. The most prevalent feeding style was encouragement, followed by emotional, with control and instrumental styles being less common. This study provides strong evidence on the association between PFS and daily F&V intake in Saudi preschoolers. Interventional and longitudinal studies on PFS are required to confirm these findings.

Parental Feeding Style, Parenting Stress, and Child Mealtime Behaviors in Cystic Fibrosis.

Nutrition and weight gain significantly contribute to overall health outcomes in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Strong emphasis is placed on these entities by the CF team, which can cause stress for parents and impact parent and child mealtime behaviors. The current study sought to investigate the relationship between parental feeding style, parenting stress, and parent and child mealtime behaviors in families of children with CF. Forty-five parents of a child with CF between the ages of 2 and 10 years were recruited during a CF clinic appointment. They completed surveys assessing child mealtime behaviors, parental feeding style, and parental stress. Medical data including body mass index (BMI) were collected from the medical record. There was a significant difference in behavioral feeding scores based on feeding style (F3,41 = 13.48, p<.001), with authoritarian parents reporting significantly greater mealtime behavior problems than all other parents. There was also a significant difference in parenting stress based on parental feeding style (F3,41=4.11, p<.05), with authoritarian parents showing more stress than authoritative parents (Mdiff=23.70, p<.05). Correlation analyses showed a positive relationship between behavioral feeding problems and parent stress, r(45)=0.403; p<.01. Data suggest parents using an authoritarian feeding style experience more stress and behavioral feeding problems than other parents. More feeding problems were also associated with more stress. Findings help determine how pediatric psychologists can intervene to support positive parenting behaviors that reduce children's mealtime behavior problems and parental stress, thus improving health outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Parental Feeding Style dan Picky Eating Behaviour terhadap Kejadian Stunting pada Anak Usia Prasekolah

This research aims to determine the relationship between parental feeding style and picky eating behavior on the incidence of stunting in preschool children. The research method uses a cross sectional design. The results of the research show that there is a relationship between parental feeding style and the incidence of stunting (p = 0.028) and there is a relationship between picky eating behavior and the incidence of stunting (p = 0.017) in Panaikang Village, Pattallassang District, Gowa Regency. In conclusion, there is a relationship between parental feeding style and picky eating behavior on the incidence of stunting in preschool-aged children in Panaikang Village, Pattallassang District, Gowa Regency.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Preschool Children, Parental Feeding Style, Picky Eating Behaviour, Stunting