Parental feeding practices and ultra-processed food consumption in preschool children

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between parental feeding practices and the consumption of ultra-processed foods in preschool children. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 140 parents (father and mother) and their children (2-6 year-old). Parental feeding practices were assessed using the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire. Children’s body weight and height were measured, and body mass index z-score per age was calculated. Parental anthropometric measurements (body weight and height) were obtained by self-report, and body mass index was calculated. The consumption of ultra-processed foods was assessed through the Child Food Frequency Questionnaire and the daily intake score was calculated. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between parental feeding practices and the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Results: Children’s ultra-processed food consumption was negatively associated with the “Monitoring” parental feeding practices. On the other hand, “Emotion Regulation” and “Health restriction” parental feeding practices were positively associated with the ultra-processed food consumption score. Conclusion: Ultra-processed food consumption was associated to the “Monitoring”, “Emotion regulation” and “Health restriction” parental feeding practices in preschool children. These results support the importance of using successful parental feeding practices to promote healthy eating in preschoolers.

Oral health in childhood: construction and validation of an instrument on knowledge, attitude, and practice of caregivers

“…Consuming easily fermentable free sugars should be avoided before two years of age 19 to promote infant nutrition. A study 20 that applied a children's food frequency questionnaire focusing on caregivers highlighted the importance of instruments to monitor dietary eating practices that identify children's consumption of ultra-processed foods rich in sugars, fats, and salt.…”

“…The toothbrush brush head's size should be proportional to the baby's mouth. Regarding fluoride paste, a concentration of at least 1000 ppm in the amount of raw rice grain should be used [20][21][22] . Parents usually introduce brushing with fluoride toothpaste late and delay access to the dental office, facilitating the appearance of caries.…”

“…According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 22 , the theme of babies' oral health promotion demystifies the idea that the family should only take the baby to the dentist only after the first tooth's eruption, emphasizing that the first appointment occurs by the first year. Health professionals should promote actions related to the child's future oral health, such as the chronology of tooth eruption and its repercussions, adequate cleaning, avoiding early caries, using pacifiers and bottles, and clinically examining the entire face and its soft tissues 20 .…”