Eating Practices Research Articles

Weight gain, feeding and eating in the first year of life of babies of smoking and non-smoking mothers

Babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancy tend to be born underweight but are at risk for pediatric obesity. Maternal feeding practices, maternal disordered eating, and child temperament were assessed as potential mediators of early weight gain in babies of smoking and non-smoking mothers. The BMIs of babies of 88 smoking and 107 non-smoking mothers were recorded at birth and reported one year later. Mothers self-reported on disordered eating and child feeding practices, and on their infants' temperament. Babies of smoking mothers had lower BMI at birth but not at age one. For babies of non-smoking but not for those of smoking mothers, BMI at birth predicted BMI at age one. Smoking mothers' disordered eating and pressure for children to eat predicted their babies' BMI at age one. In the non-smoking group only, there were significant correlations between babies' temperamental difficulties and babies' BMI at age one. In contrast to non-smoking mothers, smoking mothers tend to pressure their babies to eat, and not to feed them in response to their distress. This interim picture may provide insight into the transition of the children of smoking mothers from underweight newborns to children classified as overweight.

Dieting, mindfulness and mindful eating:exploring whether or not diets reinforce mindfulness and mindful eating practices

BackgroundResearch into dieting and mindfulness has primarily focused upon how mindfulness and mindful eating affect dieting. However, the effect is bi-directional, with the process of dieting also impacting on mind-set and eating. We therefore aimed to investigate how people on different diets experience mindfulness and mindful eating. The present research aimed to explore whether or not specific weight loss diets are likely to prompt more of the elements described in mindfulness and mindful eating theory.Participants and procedureA community sample (N = 312) who were dieting at the time of recruitment were asked to fill in mindfulness and mindful eating measures, where commercial weight loss programmes (CWLP), low carbohydrate (LC), and intermittent fasting (IF) were used as dieting methods, as well as general healthy eating (GHE). Analyses of variance were conducted with the intention of comparing those groups in mindfulness and mindful eating, as well as their corresponding sub-constructs. The questionnaires and demographic information were provided through an online database, as well as other information relating to the diet, duration and history of dieting.ResultsThe results showed intermittent fasting dieters to score higher across mindfulness and mindful eating scores, although the differences from the rest of the groups were not significant. Investigating mindful eating further through the subscales revealed that CWLP scores were significantly higher in ‘routine’ when compared to GHE. Trait mindfulness subscales displayed no significant differences, except ‘describe’, which was higher in CWLP over LC dieting.ConclusionsSpecific emphasis is given to future directions, and the potential to identify diets that are theoretically and prac-tically consistent with the theory and practices of mindfulness and mindful eating.

Dietary patterns and practices in rural eastern Uganda: Implications for prevention and management of type 2 diabetes

BackgroundThe burden of type 2 diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2040, partly attributable to rapidly changing diets. In this paper, we analysed how community members in rural Uganda understood the concept of a healthy or unhealthy diet, food preparation and serving practices to inform the process of facilitating knowledge and skill necessary for self-management and care for type 2 diabetes.This was a qualitative study involving 20 focus group discussions and eight in-depth interviews among those at risk, patients with type 2 diabetes and the general community members without diabetes mellitus. Data was coded and entered into Atlas ti version 7.5.12 and interpreted using thematic analysis.We identified three main themes, which revealed, the perceptions on food and diet concerning health; the social dimensions of food and influence on diet practices; and food as a gendered activity. Participants noted that eating and cooking practices resulted in unhealthy diets. Their practices were affected by beliefs, poverty and food insecurity. Women determined which foods to prepare, but men prepared only some of the foods such as delicacies like a rice dish “pilau.” New commercial and processed foods were increasingly available and consumed even in rural areas. Participants linked signs and symptoms of illness to diet as they narrated changes from past to current food preparation behaviours. Their view of overweight and obesity was also gendered and linked to social status.Participants’ perception of disease influenced by diet was similar among those with and without type 2 diabetes, and those at risk. People described what is a healthy diet was as recommended by the health workers, but stated that their practices differed greatly from their knowledge. There was high awareness about healthy and balanced diets, but food is entrenched within social and gendered paradigms, which are slowly changing. Social and gender dimensions of food will need to be addressed through interventions in communities to promote change on a society level.

Teammate influences and relationship quality are associated with eating and exercise psychopathology in athletes

Teammates have a powerful influence on athletes' eating attitudes/behaviours, but less is known about the relative importance of teammate influence mechanisms. The primary aim of this study was to explore the relationships and predictive associations between teammate influences (e.g., modelling of teammates' disordered eating; supportive teammate friendships) and athletes’ eating and exercise attitudes and behaviours. A further aim was to identify the presence of any gender differences. Athletes (N = 1172, mean age 24 years, n = 727 female) completed a survey exploring multiple teammate influences, eating and exercise attitudes and behaviours, and psychological wellbeing (anxiety, depression, self-esteem). Many significant relationships were identified between teammate influences and eating/exercise psychopathology. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that a perceived pressure from teammates to lose weight/change shape and perceptions that teammates engaged in disordered eating practices were the best predictors of higher eating and exercise psychopathology. Supportive teammate friendships was the best predictor of lower eating psychopathology and higher levels of healthy exercise behaviours. Encouragement/discouragement to eat healthily were also significant predictors. Teammate influences explained more variance in exercise than eating psychopathology, and total variance explained by teammates was higher for females compared to males. Teammates may have a positive and negative influence on the eating and exercise attitudes/behaviours of athletes; however, gender differences are apparent. Understanding teammate influences on the eating and exercise practices of athletes is important for the development of team-based interventions to reduce or prevent disordered eating and exercise. Future research should explore these relationships longitudinally, considering the role of moderating factors (e.g., sport type, stage of season).

The feasting table as the gateway to hell on the early modern stage and page

AbstractWhen banquets are performed on the early modern stage, devils can be seen beside the eaters. This is notably the case when grace has not been said properly before the meal. This article focuses on a group of four texts: Thomas Dekker's If This Be Not a Good Play, The Devil Is In It (1611), Thomas Heywood and Richard Brome's The Late Lancashire Witches (1634), William Winstanley's The Essex Champion (1690?), and Christopher Marlowe's Dr Faustus (c.1592). These texts contain particularly striking examples of an early modern anxiety about the importance of saying grace and eating piously rather than greedily for maintaining hierarchies within the state and the household. They also show the ways in which debates about the Eucharist underlie, and can be mapped on to, representations of saying grace. The article demonstrates that the theatre makes visible early modern concerns about souls imperilled and household hierarchies destabilised by improper eating practices.

Multisector Approach to Improve Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Policies and Practices in Early Care and Education Programs: The National Early Care and Education Learning Collaboratives Project, 2013-2017.

Purpose and ObjectivesEmbedding healthy eating and physical activity best practices in early care and education settings is important for instilling healthy behaviors early in life. A collaborative partnership between Nemours Children’s Health System and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was created to implement the National Early Care and Education Learning Collaboratives Project (ECELC) in childcare settings in 10 states. We measured improvement at the program level by the self-reported number of best practices implemented related to healthy eating and physical activity.Intervention ApproachThe ECELC implemented a collaborative model with state-level partners (eg, child care resource and referral networks) and early care and education programs. Intervention components received by program directors and lead teachers included 1) self-assessment, 2) in-person learning and training sessions, 3) action planning and implementation, 4) technical assistance, and 5) post-reassessment.Evaluation MethodsA pre–post design assessed self-reported policies and practices related to breastfeeding and infant feeding, child nutrition, infant and child physical activity, screen time, and outdoor play and learning as measured by the validated Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) best practices instrument. The sample included 1,173 early care and education programs.ResultsThe number of best practices met for each of the 5 NAP SACC areas increased from pre-assessment to post-assessment approximately 6 months later and ranged from 1.5 to 4.7 best practices (P < .001). Almost all increases occurred regardless of participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Quality Rating Improvement System, Head Start/Early Head Start, and/or accreditation status.Implications for Public HealthThe innovative and collaborative partnerships led to broad implementation of healthy eating and physical activity–based practices in early care and education settings. Development, implementation, and evaluation of policy and practice-based partnerships to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children attending early care and education programs may contribute to obesity prevention in the United States.

Innovative development scenario of the domestic market of meat products: problems, factors, trends

The market for meat and its products is, on the one hand, one of the criteria for a country's food security, and, on the other, a peculiar social indicator, since it is a supplier of animal protein that plays an important role in ensuring healthy nutrition of the human body, which directly affects the quality of life., human development index, the formation and creation of conditions for its reproduction. The aim of the work is to study the domestic market of meat processing products from the standpoint of the implementation of the innovative scenario of its development, taking into account the orientation on mental changes in the consumer audience, the tendency to change the hedonic preferences of end users of meat products in the light of the evolution of nutrition theories. The subject of the study was trends, problems and prospects for the development of the domestic market of meat products, including taking into account the peculiarities of the consumer mentality, psychological perception of meat products in the light of the development of the theory and practice of healthy eating. The research methodology was based on a complex of general scientific methods, including analytical, synthetic, deduction. The basis of the research was the compilation and analysis of information sources in the subject area of ??the state and development prospects of the global and domestic meat and meat products market, which form plausible development scenarios, from the standpoint of analyzing commercial relations inherent in the b2c (busness-to-consumer) sector, in particular, the role assortment and the role of the individual customer. The characteristics, factors and trends of the innovation scenario of the development of the market of chilled and frozen meat products are formulated. The perspectives of combining the concept of healthy nutrition with the idea of reviving the traditions of national cuisine based on convergence with innovative food biotechnologies, including based on the author's innovative project to develop combined food systems and economically efficient meat products.

Awareness Regarding Healthy Eating Practices to Prevent Food Borne Disease among Somali Students Living in Bashundhara, Dhaka Bangladesh

Background: Food borne disease is one of the major global emerging health problems in the world. Prevalence of is Increasing daily. Overall awareness and modifying one’s lifestyle could be beneficial to the reduction of food borne diseases. Majority of the cases are found in the developing countries. South Asian countries such as India and Bangladesh have a higher risk of food borne diseases which is rapidly increasing. True incidence of FBDs is difficult to evaluate, as many cases remain undeclared. WHO estimates that, worldwide food borne and water borne diarrheal diseases taken together kill about 2.2 million people annually and 1.9 million of them are children. Method: A cross sectional survey study was used to determine awareness regarding healthy eating practices to prevent food borne disease among Somali students living Bashundhara Dhaka, Bangladesh. Structured questionnaire was used and face to face interview were carried out by the researcher himself. A total of 217 Somali students were selected by using convenient sampling technique. Chi square was employed to examine the association between socio demographic characteristics and awareness regarding healthy eating practices to prevent food borne disease of Somali students after adjusting for significant variables p&lt;0.05 level associated with awareness and within study site. Results: Regarding awareness on food borne disease and healthy eating practices 51% Somali students were aware of food borne disease; the level of awareness was not good also their attitude towards healthy eating and hygiene practice of Somali students 68.2% they store raw or cooked food for use at house hold in refrigerator, according their utensils in a kitchen 53.0% they are properly manage utensils after food properly cooked, and 92.2% they cooked well in chicken and meat. Conclusion: Awareness regarding healthy eating practices and prevention of food borne disease in Somali student was not good. Thus, there is a need for public health educational interventions.

Time-Restricted Eating to Prevent and Manage Chronic Metabolic Diseases.

Molecular clocks are present in almost every cell to anticipate daily recurring and predictable changes, such as rhythmic nutrient availability, and to adapt cellular functions accordingly. At the same time, nutrient-sensing pathways can respond to acute nutrient imbalance and modulate and orient metabolism so cells can adapt optimally to a declining or increasing availability of nutrients. Organismal circadian rhythms are coordinated by behavioral rhythms such as activity-rest and feeding-fasting cycles to temporally orchestrate a sequence of physiological processes to optimize metabolism. Basic research in circadian rhythms has largely focused on the functioning of the self-sustaining molecular circadian oscillator, while research in nutrition science has yielded insights into physiological responses to caloric deprivation or to specific macronutrients. Integration of these two fields into actionable new concepts in the timing of food intake has led to the emerging practice of time-restricted eating. In this paradigm, daily caloric intake is restricted to a consistent window of 8-12 h. This paradigm has pervasive benefits on multiple organ systems.

Evolution of the School Breakfast Program in Northwest Mexico Evaluated in the Period 1996 to 2018 (P16-034-19)

ObjectivesTo analyze the evolution of the school breakfast program (SBP) in Sonora, according to the challenges presented during the period 1996–2018. MethodsThis is an anthology of what has been the SBP in Sonora for twenty-two years. The results of the program (1996–2018) were analyzed and discussed, according to the different stages through which it has been developed, as well as the evaluations that constituted the starting point for the subsequent stages; published in four articles, seven master’s theses and technical reports delivered to the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF) -Sonora by researchers from the Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD, A.C.) ResultsFollow-up studies of the SBP in Sonora included dietary evaluations and design of school breakfast menus (SB), impact on micronutrient deficiencies and the presence of overweight and obesity. The evidence showed that SB constitutes a complementary contribution of nutrients in the diet of the participants; it also did not introduce risk factors for children’s health such as excessive amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. The results of the studies on the nutritional status of children include the measurement of cognitive development, the adequacy of the diet, as well as the evaluation of anthropometric indicators, biochemical micronutrient status and cardiovascular risk for overweight and obesity, finally the inclusion of nutritional education through the implementation of programs to promote water consumption, practice of physical activity and healthy eating. The monitoring and evaluation of the SBP has allowed changes consistent with the needs of children and does not constitute a risk for the development of childhood obesity. In addition, for the benefits presented in the program such as the implementation process, sustainability, institutionalization, participation of parents and the school community and good adherence to the program has been managed to evaluate nutritional education in school and home contexts to achieve sustainable changes in dietary practices and physical activity. ConclusionsThe process of monitoring the program allows an adequate organizational environment for the implementation of a nutritional education program leading to the prevention of childhood obesity. The next challenge is to ensure the institutionalization of nutritional education within the SBP in Sonora. Funding SourcesSistema Integral para el Desarrollo de la Familia, DIF Sonora.

Saudi Population’s Adherence to the Healthy Food Palm: A Cross-sectional Study (P16-066-19)

ObjectivesThe Healthy Food Palm (HFP) was developed based on the culture and eating habits of Saudi Arabians to preserve and enhance nutrient adequacy and improve health by emphasizing foods and food groups that attenuate the risk of chronic diseases. Limited work has been done to assess the diet quality of Saudi Arabians based on the HFP. Therefore, our objective was to assess adherence to the guidelines among Saudi Arabians. MethodsA total of 612 Saudi males and females, aged 18 and above, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Demographics and social eating practices were obtained using an online questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and waist circumference of all participants were also obtained. We applied the HFP recommendations for intake of eight food groups using 24-hour dietary recall (24HDR) and developed a scoring system to assess the adherence of the participants to this dietary guideline. The scoring was based on those that met the guidelines (within recommended range) and those who did not meet the guidelines (below and above recommended range). Two 24HDR were initially obtained from the study subjects. However, only 248 (41%) completed the second 24-hour recall. Since the % agreement in adherence to the food groups for both recalls was high (77%), we used the first recall. Descriptive statistics were obtained for all socio-demographic factors, health characteristics, and the participants’ adherence to HFP. ResultsOur results showed that overall level of adherence to HFP is 26%. For the vegetables, dairy, fruits, grains, water, protein and sugar groups, the majority of participants reported intake below the recommended range (98%, 91%, 88%, 88%, 78%, 62% and 54% of subjects respectively). For the fat group, most subjects (98%) met the recommended intake. When compared to the males, the intake of females was lower than the recommended range. Other groups with intake lower than the recommended range were undergraduate students, single individuals, and those with a normal BMI. ConclusionsIn this study, the results show that Saudi Arabians do not adhere to HFP. Educational interventions should be planned to improve diet quality. Funding SourcesNo funding sources.

Mindful Awareness or Self-Regulation in Eating: an Investigation into the Underlying Dimensions of Mindful Eating

ObjectivesMindful eating has been suggested to contribute a healthier relationship to food. However, its conceptualization and operationalization need further investigation. Our aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ).MethodsA cross-sectional survey study including a sample of Hungarian university students (N = 323) was conducted to unveil the construct validity of the MEQ.ResultsThe results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed an inadequate fit to the original model. Applying exploratory factor analysis (EFA) confirmed the presence of the original five factors with minor deviations from the original structure. Correlation coefficients between factors ranged from − 0.36 to 0.52. As a further step, principal component analysis of the primary factors uncovered two second-order components, self-regulation, and awareness. A multivariate regression analysis with structural equation modeling revealed that higher levels of self-regulation in eating were positively related to trait mindfulness (β = 0.13, p < 0.05) and negatively related to uncontrolled eating (β = − 0.20, p < 0.05), emotional eating (β = − 0.40, p < 0.05), and meditation practice (β = − 0.12, p < 0.05). In turn, awareness was related to lower body mass index (β = − 0.20, p < 0.05) and higher levels of emotional eating (β = 0.20, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results suggest inadequate coherence of the subscales and an unclear locus of mindful eating within the nomological network of related constructs. Our study contributes to the progress in the measurement of mindful eating by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the MEQ. The outcome of the construct validation testing implies the need for further exploration of mindful eating.

Parental translation to practice of healthy eating and active play messages and the impact on childhood obesity: a mixed methods study

Parental translation to practice of healthy eating and active play messages and the impact on childhood obesity: a mixed methods study

"Prevention Produce": Integrating Medical Student Mentorship into a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program for At-Risk Patients.

Fruit and vegetable prescription (FVRx) programs provide increased access to produce to food-insecure, at-risk populations, yet many lack the educational and social components to support long-term disease prevention. To address these barriers, students at Penn State College of Medicine designed "Prevention Produce"-a modified FVRx program that integrated a community-based, month-long educational curriculum-and undertook preliminary evaluation. Nine families deemed by clinicians as at risk of chronic disease and food insecurity received weekly $40 "prescriptions" for produce at partnering farmers markets. Participants were paired with medical student mentors who delivered weekly nutrition education modules and assisted in produce shopping. Preprogram and postprogram surveys were administered, categorizing perceptions and practices of healthy eating. All participants were interviewed by phone 3 years later to assess long-term impact. Medical students provided written reflections via online survey. Postprogram fruit and vegetable consumption increased, and more patients expressed efforts to include produce in every meal. More participants strongly agreed that fruits and vegetables prevented chronic diseases. In reflective interviews, participants praised the program's ease of use, mentor-patient relationship, and increased access to produce. Student mentors expressed gratitude for one-on-one interaction and felt empowered to learn and deliver nutrition education. Integration of an FVRx program with education, mentorship, and community-based focus may increase produce consumption and improve opinions about healthy eating. This program serves as a model for integrating preventive strategies within larger health care systems. Additionally, the model can facilitate early clinical interventions that may benefit medical trainees' professional development.

Intuitive Eating and Weight Restrictive Practices among Dietitians in Kuwait

Background Dietitians are healthcare team members responsible for counseling patients with weight concerns. Both traditional/restrictive and intuitive eating/nonrestrictive practices are used with clients seeking weight loss. However, little is known about the weight management practices used with clients by dietitians in Kuwait, which are often related to the dietitians’ knowledge, attitudes, and work experience. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding intuitive eating among dietitians dealing with clients for weight management in Kuwait and describe their use of restrictive versus nonrestrictive dietary practices. Method This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A self-administered survey was distributed among dietitians working with clients for weight management in public and private clinics. Results In total, 163 participants completed the survey. Most dietitians (81.6%) had not heard of intuitive eating as an independent approach to weight loss and scored low on knowledge of intuitive eating; however, many demonstrated positive attitudes towards intuitive eating (68%). Moreover, dietitians in Kuwait used both restrictive/traditional (69.31%) and nonrestrictive/intuitive eating (79.82%) weight management approaches to counsel clients. Total knowledge was positively correlated with use of nonrestrictive/intuitive eating (r=.259, p=.003) and traditional/restrictive practices (r=.227, p=.009). Years of experience was not related to either practice style. Conclusions Dietitians are combining both restrictive and nonrestrictive approaches for weight management with clients, and their practices are related to knowledge. These findings underscore the importance of continuous education for dietitians working in all sectors in Kuwait.

Factors explaining individual differences in taste sensitivity and taste modality recognition among Finnish adults

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the factors affecting interindividual variation in the sense of taste among Finnish adults. Two components of taste function were examined with five established taste modalities: taste sensitivity and capability to identify taste modalities. The potential explanatory factors for taste function included gender, age, BMI, and smoking. In total, 205 volunteers participated in the study at the sensory evaluation laboratory of Functional Foods Forum. Older age (&gt;50 years) and male gender predicted a less sensitive sense of taste in general. For umami sensitivity, high BMI along with older age predicted lower sensitivity. Additionally, taste recognition and sensitivity were related in bitter and umami tastes. Older age was also associated with a poorer capability in taste recognition. Sour–bitter, umami–salty, and salty–umami were the most frequent taste confusions.Practical applicationsThese results showed individual differences in taste perception among adult. This study can help to understand diversity in personal eating practices and food choices, which can be utilized in personal nutritional guidance and well‐being applications. We suggest that umami should be included in studies concerning taste function. There is high variation in umami perception and as umami may increase food palatability, it can be an important element in improving diet especially among elderly people. In sensory research, panelists' interindividual variation in taste perception can be wide and should be acknowledged by careful design of studies.

Development of a new questionnaire to assess the links between children's self-regulation of eating and related parental feeding practices

Young children have an innate ability to self-regulate food intake, driven primarily by hunger and satiety cues, but this ability tends to decrease during early childhood. The study aimed to first examine the development and initial validation of a self-report questionnaire suitable for French samples that assess two dimensions of children's self-regulation of eating (eating in the absence of hunger, poor eating compensation abilities) and potential related parental feeding practices. The second aim was to assess the links between children's self-regulation of eating and parental feeding practices as well as the links between children's self-regulation and children's body mass index. An initial 28-item questionnaire was developed. It included items related to the child's eating in the absence of hunger and eating compensation, which were selected mainly from interviews conducted with 45 mothers, and items related to parental feeding practices selected from existing tools. This questionnaire was then completed by 793 parents. A 21-item questionnaire was validated using a confirmatory factor analysis that showed satisfying fit indices. The structural equation modeling indicated that the use of food as reward was positively associated with eating in the absence of hunger, whereas parental awareness of children's cues was negatively associated with both children's eating in the absence of hunger and poor eating compensation ability. Interestingly, positive associations between eating in the absence of hunger and child's BMI, and between poor eating compensation ability and child's BMI were reported. The current study offered an initial validation of a new questionnaire that combines parental feeding practices and constructs involved in children's self-regulation of eating. Further studies are needed to disentangle these links and their directionality as well as the associations with children's body mass index.

Children, ‘healthy’ food, school and family: the ‘[n]ot really’ outcome of school food messages

ABSTRACTThis paper draws on a multi-method study with 50 families in Victoria, Australia. Primary school children were asked about food knowledge from school and whether they felt motivated to bring knowledge home. Generally, children and parents felt school food messages are unclear, contradictory and not relevant to them and this reduced the likelihood of messages coming home from school. We identify a critical difference in how families thought about healthy eating and food practices at home and the framework of school messages. Families focused on children’s eating in a pragmatic way, infused with nurturance as well as concern. We argue their practices can be viewed as a form of relational consumption (Lindsay and Maher 2013. Consuming Families: Buying, Making, Producing Family Life in the Twenty-First Century. New York: Routledge.) where food is part of the everyday exchange of love and care. A disjunction exists between familial relational approaches and the regulatory framework of school food messages that impacts how messages move between these spaces. Attention to relational aspects of food consumption at school might allow for a more valuable exchange between family and schools that supports family endeavours to feed children well.

A comparison of maternal feeding responses to child fussy eating in low-income food secure and food insecure households

Children learn to like a wide variety of healthy foods through exposure in their early feeding environment. While some children may reject foods during this learning process, parents may perceive persistent refusal as ‘fussy’ or ‘picky’ eating. Low-income parents may provide fussy children with a narrow range of foods that they will like and accept to avoid food and economic waste; inadvertently limiting children's exposure to a variety of healthy foods. This ‘risk aversion’ to food rejection may be particularly salient in food insecure households where resources are further constrained. We aimed to examine if food insecurity modifies the relationship between child fussy eating and parents' food provision and feeding with respect to exposure to a variety of healthy foods. Australian mothers residing in a low-income community (N = 260) completed a cross-sectional survey on their preschool-aged child's ‘food fussiness’, household food insecurity and food exposure practices. Food exposure practices included the home availability of fruit and vegetables, and children's tasting of a variety of fruit and vegetables (food provision); and whether parents prepared alternative meals for their child (feeding). Mothers reporting food insecurity (11%) were less likely to have fruit frequently available in the home compared to mothers reporting food security. Food insecurity moderated the relationship between fussy eating and food exposure practices insofar that food secure mothers were more likely to prepare alternative meals for fussier children. Family resources and child fussy eating behaviours are identified as important contextual factors in food provision and feeding. Findings from the current study suggest that health professionals, researchers and policymakers tailor interventions to consider both the needs of families and child eating characteristics.

Comparing disordered eating and feeding practices in African American and Caucasian treatment-seeking youth with obesity

ABSTRACTObjectives: Examine racial differences in disordered eating and parental feeding in youth with obesity. Methods: A diverse sample of 131 treatment-seeking youth (Mage = 12.84 years; Rangeage = 8-18 years; 65.6% African American, 34.4% Caucasian) with obesity (MBMIz = 2.60) completed a disordered eating questionnaire; parents completed a questionnaire about feeding practices. Results: No significant differences in disordered eating between African American and Caucasian youth emerged. Significant differences were found on parent feeding where parents of African American children endorsed more frequent use of pressure to eat, including ensuring and monitoring enough is eaten. Conclusions: Generally, comparisons of disordered eating and parent feeding practices between African American and Caucasian youth with obesity were not significant. Racial differences on some aspects of parental feeding practices were found. Future research should identify cultural factors impacting these differences. Clinical implications include providing culturally sensitive psychoeducation and interventions to address unhealthy feeding practices in diverse families.