A narrative review of psychological and educational strategies applied to young children's eating behaviours aimed at reducing obesity risk

Abstract

Strategies to reduce risk of obesity by influencing preschool children's eating behaviour are reviewed. The studies are placed in the context of relevant psychological processes, including inherited and acquired preferences, and behavioural traits, such as food neophobia, 'enjoyment of food' and 'satiety responsiveness'. These are important influences on how children respond to feeding practices, as well as predictors of obesity risk. Nevertheless, in young children, food environment and experience are especially important for establishing eating habits and food preferences. Providing information to parents, or to children, on healthy feeding is insufficient. Acceptance of healthy foods can be encouraged by five to ten repeated tastes. Recent evidence suggests rewarding healthy eating can be successful, even for verbal praise alone, but that palatable foods should not be used as rewards for eating. Intake of healthier foods can be promoted by increasing portion size, especially in the beginning of the meal. Parental strategies of pressuring to eat and restriction do not appear to be causally linked to obesity, but are instead primarily responses to children's eating tendencies and weight. Moderate rather than frequent restriction may improve healthy eating in children. Actively positive social modelling by adults and peers can be effective in encouraging healthier eating.

FTO genotype and weight status among preadolescents: Assessing the mediating effects of obesogenic appetitive traits

“…5,6 Appetitive traits develop early in childhood, 7–10 and variations in appetitive traits such as enjoyment of food, impulsivity, increased eating rate and decreased satiety responsiveness have been consistently associated with obesity risk among children. 9 Furthermore, strong evidence supports that appetitive traits are heritable, 10,11 and may, in part, underlie a genetic predisposition to obesity. 10 As summarized in a review of the behavioral susceptibility theory first put forth by Dr. Jane Wardle, 10 there is strong observational and experimental evidence to support that eating behaviors are under significant genetic control among infants and children.…”

Are Mealtime Best Practice Guidelines for Child Care Centers Associated with Energy, Vegetable, and Fruit Intake?

“…4 Furthermore, evidence suggests that dietary preferences are established during this time and track into adulthood. 5,6 Preschool children typically consume a narrow variety of foods, which includes low quantities of vegetables. 7 This is thought to be secondary to young children's innate preference for sweet foods, 8 avoidance of new foods, 9 and limited exposure to fruits and vegetables by caregivers.…”

Wanting to and Doing So: Parental Intent to Change Weight Does Not Translate Into Behavior

“…denying children treat foods) in parents who were actively trying to change the weight. Although early work linked restriction with weight gain [31,32], it is now apparent that parents use restriction as a way of controlling an overweight child's food intake [33]. This seems to occur despite recommendations advising against using restrictive feeding practices in children [34].…”