Approaches to restrictive feeding: Associations with child weight and eating behavior

Abstract

The statements mothers use to restrict their children's eating vary in affect and directness. Child characteristics, such as sex, BMI, and the presence of specific eating behaviors, are associated with differing approaches to restriction by mothers.

Observed restrictive feeding practices among low‐income mothers of pre‐adolescents

“…Further research is needed to understand if mothers redirect in hope that their child will ultimately eat less, or if they are trying to ensure that their child's consumption is balanced between "healthier" and less healthy foods. Unlike Pesch et al, 26,32 who studied restrictive practices used by mothers of younger children, in the current study, neither pre-adolescents' weight status nor appetitive traits were associated with frequency of mothers' restrictive feeding practices. In the current study, mothers of higher BMI were less likely to use positive restrictive statements and non-verbal restrictive behaviours than mothers of lower BMI.…”

“…One of the most important contributions of this study is the use of a carefully implemented laboratory protocol designed to elicit restrictive feeding among mothers. The current protocol, in which dyads were served a meal and then presented with large portions of common sweet foods while the meal was still available, was expanded from the protocol used by Pesch et al, 26,[31][32][33] which provided dyads with chocolate cupcakes and only elicited restrictive statements in approximately half of mothers. However, the use of a new protocol means that findings across study samples cannot be perfectly compared.…”

“…In some studies, naturalistic observations of meals or other feeding occasions in the home have been conducted, 23 whereas in other studies, parent/child dyads have participated in standardized, laboratory-based, feeding protocols. [24][25][26][27][28] The former approach may provide greater ecological validity, while the latter offers greater standardization across families. This standardization helps ensure that all families are exposed to similar eating situations, for example a highly desirable dessert.…”

“…29 However, despite only a modest correlation between these two types of restriction, 27 many studies combine the two for analysis. Alternatively, in a series of studies, Pesch et al 26,[31][32][33] differentiated statements that mothers used to restrict their young children's eating during a laboratory-based eating protocol where children were presented a large portion of cupcakes by their degree of directness and affect.…”

Prevalência de excesso de peso em crianças e adolescentes de uma escola de ensino gratuito

“…Estudo desenvolvido em população similar constatou que 20% das crianças e adolescentes apresentavam algum excesso de peso e não praticavam atividade física regular ou brincavam com outras crianças em horários livres (NICKEL; MEZZOMO; RAVAZZANI, 2017). Outro estudo aborda o contexto familiar como um fator que contribui para a elevação do peso corporal como, por exemplo, a restrição e as declarações negativas das mães referentes alguns alimentos, evidenciando que o comportamento alimentar dos pais também esta inserido nesse processo de obesidade em crianças (PESCH et al, 2018).…”