Are Maternal Feeding Practices and Mealtime Emotions Associated with Toddlers’ Food Neophobia? A Follow-Up to the DIT-Coombe Hospital Birth Cohort in Ireland

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the associations between maternal feeding practices, mealtime emotions, as well as maternal food neophobia and toddlers’ food neophobia in Ireland. A follow-up to the Technological University Dublin (DIT)-Coombe Hospital birth cohort was conducted. Mothers in the original cohort were invited to the present study by telephone calls. Postal questionnaires with stamped addressed envelopes were distributed to those who agreed to participate in the study. Toddler food neophobia was assessed by the modified version of the Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS). There were 205 participants included in this study, with a median score of child food neophobia of 12. A higher degree of child food neophobia (score > 12) was positively associated with the maternal practice of coaxing the children to eat at refusal (OR (Odds Ratio) = 2.279, 95% CI: 1.048–4.955), unpleasant emotions at mealtime (e.g., stressful or hectic for mothers, or tearful for children) (OR ranged between 1.618 and 1.952), and mothers’ own degree of food neophobia (OR = 1.036, 95% CI: 1.001–1.072). Mothers who were not worried when confronted with child’s food refusal was negatively associated with toddlers’ food neophobia (OR = 0.251, 95% CI: 0.114–0.556). This study suggests the maternal practices of responsive feeding, being calm and patient with the toddlers, and creating a positive atmosphere at mealtime.

Neophobia—A Natural Developmental Stage or Feeding Difficulties for Children?

“…One of the most important factors in the whole process of feeding is the feeding style used. As shown in a study by Meijing et al [ 40 ], the following factors mainly influence the course of neophobia: urging the child to eat with a definite refusal from its side, unpleasant emotions during the meal (e.g., nervousness of the parent, stress, crying of the child), and high level of neophobia in the mother. Similar conclusions were reached by de Oliveira Torres et al In a systematic review of the literature, stating that the level of neophobia in children is influenced by the eating habits of the parents, the inborn preference of children for sweet and salty tastes, the inadequate consistency to the child’s psychomotor skills, parental pressure during meals, the failure to read signals concerning hunger and satiety or monotony in child nutrition, etc.…”

“…Factors influencing food neophobia are very diverse; therefore, as in the case of eating disorders, the patient should be dealt with by a team of specialists including a pediatrician/gastroenterologist, clinical dietician, neurologist, psychologist, sensory integration therapist, feeding therapist, etc. [ 34 , 35 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Food neophobia - natural developmental stage or feeding difficulty? A study of children's behavior and parents' knowledge about children’s neophobic behaviors

“…One of the most important factors in the whole process of feeding is the feeding style used. As shown in the study by Meijing et al [18], the following factors mainly influenced the course of neophobia: urging the child to eat with a definite refusal from its side, unpleasant emotions during the meal (e.g. nervousness of the parent, stress, crying of the child), high level of neophobia in the mother.…”

“…The factors influencing food neophobia are very diverse. On the one hand, it is a natural stage in development; on the other hand, some factors can influence the perpetuation of inappropriate behaviors [18]. Therefore, if neophobic behaviors do not go away, and become more severe, appropriate intervention should be undertaken.…”

Prevalence of Feeding Problems in Children and Associated Factors—A Cross-Sectional Study among Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

“…Other factors also influenced the course of feeding problems. In a study by An M. et al, the main factors were urging the child to eat with a firm refusal on the child’s part, unpleasant emotions during mealtimes (e.g., parent’s nervousness, stress, child’s crying), and high levels of neophobia in the mother [ 54 ]. Similar conclusions were reached by de Oliveira Torres et al [ 2 ] in a systematic review of the literature, stating that the level of neophobia in children is influenced by, among other things, the eating habits of the parents, children’s innate preference for sweet and salty tastes, the mismatch between texture and the child’s psychomotor skills, pressure during meals, failure to read hunger and satiety signals, and monotony in child feeding.…”