Association of usual self-reported dietary intake with ecological momentary measures of affective and physical feeling states in children

Abstract

Background Little is known about the relationship between dietary intake and affective and physical feeling states in children. Purpose The current study used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to examine how usual dietary intake is cross-sectionally associated with both average affective and physical feeling state ratings and rating variability in children. Methods Children (N = 110, mean age = 11.0 ± 1.2 years, 52.5% male, 30.1% Hispanic/Latino) completed EMA measures of affective and physical feeling states 3–7 times per day for a full or partial day (weekday evenings and weekend days and evenings) over a 4-day period. Usual intake of pre-selected dietary components was measured prior to the EMA measurement period using the Block Kids Food Screener. Statistical analyses included mixed models and mixed-effects location scale models. Results Greater usual fiber intake was cross-sectionally associated with higher average positive affect (PA) ratings, lower variability of NA ratings, and higher variability of physical fatigue ratings. Lower usual glycemic load of diet was cross-sectionally associated with lower variability of NA ratings. Lower usual added sugar intake was cross-sectionally associated with higher average physical energy ratings and lower variability of NA ratings. Conclusions Although temporal precedence was not established by these findings, they indicate that characteristics of children’s usual dietary intake are cross-sectionally associated with both the average and variability of affective and physical feeling states. EMA offers a promising avenue through which to explore the associations between affective states and diet and has the potential to provide insight into nuances of this relationship.

Momentary affect, stress coping, and food intake in mother–child dyads.

“…There were no between-or withinsubjects actor effects for children. Other studies have found that the link between PA and fruit/vegetable intake does not extend to children (e.g., O'Reilly et al, 2015). The link between PA and fruit/vegetable intake may not develop until adolescence or adulthood.…”

“…The MATCH Study is unique in that it utilizes multiple waves of EMA data spaced approximately 6 months apart to capture real-time information on stress, affect, and diet intake behaviors within school-age children (age 8 -12 years) and their mothers. Additional information about the MATCH Study design can be found elsewhere (Dunton et al, 2015). An ethnically and racially diverse group of mothers and children was recruited from southern California schools through study flyers distributed to classrooms, and information booths at school and community organized events.…”

“…The majority of research on affect and stress in relation to eating behavior has been conducted in adults or children alone (e.g., Goldschmidt et al, 2014; Grenard et al, 2013; O’Reilly et al, 2015), and thus, less is understood about how mothers’ and their children’s affect and stress influence one another’s food intake. While adults are predominantly responsible for their own eating decisions, children rely on their parents or caretakers, primarily their mothers, to provide meals and snacks (Savage, Fisher, & Birch, 2007).…”

Children's Daily Negative Affect Patterns and Food Consumption on Weekends: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

“…27,30 Another reported higher subject-level variability of NA across the EMA period correlated with more unhealthy dietary intake. 31 Therefore, NA patterns across the day may predict unhealthy eating above and beyond NA levels at any given time point. Using latent growth mixture modeling of days with EMA data, studies have identified daily mood trajectories of NA and anxiety associated with disordered eating behaviors such as binge eating, purging, and skipping meals.…”

Effect of Oat β-Glucan on Affective and Physical Feeling States in Healthy Adults: Evidence for Reduced Headache, Fatigue, Anxiety and Limb/Joint Pains

“…Plausible mechanisms have been proposed whereby the stimulation of SCFA production and alteration of the colonic microbiome can influence systemic oxidative stress and inflammation and thereby influence both physical and mental functioning [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In this context, it is of interest that higher self-reported fiber intake was associated with higher positive affect in healthy children [ 18 ] and, in a randomized, cross-over study, consumption of a high fiber breakfast cereal for 2 weeks was associated with less fatigue compared to control in healthy adults [ 19 ]. We found that participants with type 2 diabetes treated by diet alone who consumed a low glycemic index diet containing 37 g/day fiber for 1 year experienced less severe headaches, less severe pains in joints or limbs and less severe gloomy thoughts than those on the lower fiber (21–23 g/day) diets [ 20 ].…”