Controlling and less controlling feeding practices are differentially associated with child food intake and appetitive behaviors assessed in a school environment

Abstract

Background: Child food intake and appetitive behaviors show an inconsistent pattern of associations with parental feeding practices. Relationships likely vary depending on parent feeding style, and on the method by which child eating behaviors are measured. Objectives: We tested relationships of controlling and less controlling forms of parental promotion and limitation of eating with food intake and appetitive behaviors assessed in preschoolers' normal school environments. Methods: As part of a 5-day protocol, preschoolers consumed standardized lunches, and caloric compensation, eating rate and eating in the absence of hunger were assessed. Feeding practices were measured using the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and Parent Feeding Styles Questionnaire (PFSQ). CFQ-Pressure to eat and CFQ-Restriction were controlling forms of promotion/limitation of child intake, and CFQ-Monitoring and PFSQ-Prompting to eat were less controlling forms. Results: Children (3-5y, n = 70) of parents with higher CFQ-Pressure to eat scores showed lower total intake, consuming significantly fewer calories from bread, snacks and fruits and vegetables. Higher PFSQ-Prompting to eat was associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake only. CFQ-Restriction and CFQ-Monitoring scores were unassociated with food intake. Higher CFQ-Pressure to eat was associated with slower eating rate, while higher CFQ-Monitoring was associated with lower intake in absence of hunger. Conclusions: Parental promotion and limitation of intake were associated with preschoolers' eating behaviors assessed in an ecologically valid setting, without parents present. Controlling and less controlling forms showed differential patterns of associations. Results were consistent with child-to-parent and parent-to-child effects, but research using longitudinal designs is needed to test bidirectional relationships.

Association between Parents’ Perceptions of Preschool Children’s Weight, Feeding Practices and Children’s Dietary Patterns: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

“…Consistent results were found in a recent birth cohort study (n = 3233), in which mothers who wished their children to be heavier used more frequent pressuring feeding at both ages 4 and 7 [21]. These findings suggest that parental desire for a heavier child motivates inappropriate controlling feeding practices which have shown to be associated with less healthy food intake and increased obesity risk [50,57]. Parents' dissatisfaction with their child's body weight could stem from dissatisfaction with their own weight [58], which have been listed as diagnostic features in a number of psychopathologies, was also found to be associated with parents' feeding, children's dietary intake and weight [39].…”

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

“…The independent variables used were parental feeding practices and the covariates were age of guardian, years of guardians' schooling, BMI for age and children gender. The choice of covariates was based on previously published studies [23][24][25]. For the linear regression analysis, the following test assumptions were evaluated: normality of residuals (Shapiro-Wilk, p>0.05), absence of multicollinearity (Inflation Factors of Variance -VIF<10), and interdependence of residuals (Durbin-Watson test, between 1.5 and 2.5).…”

Profiles of Behavioral Self-Regulation and Appetitive Traits in Preschool Children: Associations With BMI and Food Parenting Practices

“…Conversely, childfocused, responsive food parenting practices have been shown to promote healthy eating and weight outcomes in children (35). The combined effects of appetitive behaviors, general selfregulation and food parenting practices on children's obesity risk have been examined in several studies (36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41). Although the findings are somewhat mixed, there is evidence to suggest that the effects of coercive food parenting practices on children's obesity risk appear to be exacerbated in children who exhibit appetitive behaviors associated with deficits in eating regulation.…”