“Food” and “non-food” self-regulation in childhood: a review and reciprocal analysis

Abstract

Background In developmental science, there is an extensive literature on non-food related self-regulation in childhood, where several domains relating to emotions, actions and cognitions have been identified. There is now growing attention to food related self-regulation in childhood, especially difficulties with ASR, and the consequences for weight gain and adiposity. The aim of this narrative review was to conduct a reciprocal analysis of self-regulation in the food and non-food domains in childhood (referred to as appetite self-regulation (ASR) and general self-regulation (GSR) respectively). The focus was on commonalities and differences in key concepts and underpinning processes. Methods Databases and major journals were searched using terms such as self-regulation, appetite self-regulation, or self-regulation of energy intake, together with associated constructs (e.g., Executive Function, Effortful Control, delay-of-gratification). This was followed by backward and forward snowballing. Results and discussion The scholarship on GSR in childhood has had a focus on the role of the cognitively-oriented Executive Function (EF), the temperamentally-based Effortful Control (EC) and the recursive interplay between bottom-up (reactive, emotion driven, approach or avoidance) and top-down (cognitive, conscious decision-making) processes. “Hot” and “cool/cold” EF and self-regulation situations have been distinguished. There were some parallels between GSR and ASR in these areas, but uncertainty about the contribution of EF and EC to ASR in young children. Possible differences between the contribution to ASR-related outcomes of delay-of-gratification in food and non-food tasks were apparent. Unique elements of ASR were identified; associated with psychological, biological and neurological responses to food and bottom-up processes. A diverse number of situations or elements connected to ASR exist: for example, energy balance homeostasis, caloric compensation, hunger regulation, satiation, satiety, energy density of food, eating in the absence of hunger, emotional eating, etc. Conclusions Self-regulation in food and non-food domains are amenable to a reciprocal analysis. We argue that self-regulation of appetite should be added as a domain under the umbrella of self-regulation in childhood along with the other non-food related domains. This could lead to a broader understanding of self-regulation in childhood, and generate novel lines of enquiry.

Eating Behaviors of Children with Autism—Pilot Study

“…The reluctance of the infants presenting with the autism spectrum disorder or the difficulties with broadening the diet may result from the sensory hypersensitivity and the orofacial motor disorder, secondary to the persistent primary reflex, within this group of patients. Such behaviors may also result from problems with self-regulation [ 39 , 40 ].…”

Delay of Gratification Predicts Eating in the Absence of Hunger in Preschool-Aged Children

“…However, most of these studies do not include children as young as those in the current study. A recent review of the SR literature separating food and non-food SR in early childhood concluded that, while there are suggestions of common underpinnings of both forms of SR, each domain develops somewhat independently with increasing integration across childhood (Russell and Russell, 2020 ). The present findings that delay of gratification was not significantly associated with either attentional or inhibitory control in children aged 3–6 fits within this framework.…”

Bidirectional Associations between Restrained Eating and Body Mass Index in Middle Childhood

“…Similar relationships between dietary restraint and unhealthy/extreme weight control behaviors have been observed among adult populations, prompting some researchers to associate dietary restraint with unhealthy forms of dietary restriction [ 22 , 63 ]. However, given that the capacity for self-regulation and self-control are still developing in childhood, it is less likely that the patterns between dietary restraint and weight reflect a similar negative form of weight loss behavior among children [ 11 , 21 , 36 ]. Alternatively, the relationship between dietary restraint and weight among children could be a reflection of parental modeling and social desirability to achieve the “thin ideal” [ 26 , 64 ].…”

“…This ability might be especially important in the current food environment, which is characterized by a wide availability of highly palatable, energy dense foods over healthier and more nutrient-dense options [ 18 ]. Moreover, there is evidence that difficulties with self-control of energy intake is associated with poor dietary intake and weight status in children [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Thus, it is possible that some degree of dietary restraint is important as an adaptive measure to prevent and/or minimize weight gain over time [ 11 , 22 ].…”