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

Abstract

Summary Objectives To describe verbal and non‐verbal restrictive feeding practices used by low‐income mothers with their pre‐adolescent children during a laboratory‐based protocol, and examine associations between mother/child anthropometrics, child appetitive traits and mothers’ restrictive practices. Methods Mothers and children (dyad n = 108, mean child age = 11.0 years [SD = 1.2]) were provided a standardized meal and then buffet of desserts. Sessions were video‐recorded, and trained coders reliably identified positive and negative restrictive statements, non‐verbal restrictive behaviours and redirection to healthier foods. Mother/child anthropometrics were measured by trained study staff and child appetitive traits reported by mothers using subscales of the Children's Eating Behaviours Questionnaire. Negative binomial regression was used to examine associations between mother/child characteristics and restrictive practices. Results Nearly all mothers (89.8%) engaged in restrictive feeding during the dessert buffet. Positive restrictive statements were the most common form of restriction (mean statements/10 minutes = 3.2 [SD = 3.1]). No associations were observed between children's body mass index (BMI) or appetitive traits and mothers’ restrictive feeding practices. Associations of small effect size were observed between mothers’ BMI, use of positive restrictive statements (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.98 [0.96‐0.996]) and non‐verbal restrictive behaviours (IRR = 0.96 [0.93‐0.99]). Conclusions Laboratory‐based feeding protocols can objectively assess nuances in restrictive feeding practices. Further research is needed to understand how specific approaches to restriction affect children's eating behaviours and weight.

Factors that influence feeding practices among parents in Puncak Alam, Selangor

“…They may restrict their child's food intake to ensure that their child maintains a healthy weight. However, a study revealed that high maternal pressure on the child to eat has been linked with lower BMI, while high maternal restriction of foods has been associated with higher BMI of the child (Bauer et al, 2020).…”

Parental Feeding Practice in Relation to Their Children’s Weight Status among Puncak Alam Residents

“…This phenomenon aligns with the outcomes of prior research, which found that maternal practices of restrictive feeding to manage child weight were more prevalent among mothers with lower educational levels, lower household income, and higher maternal BMI, as indicated by Freitas et al in 2019. Nonetheless, research has brought attention to contrasting dynamics in this realm. According to Bauer et al (2020), the high maternal pressure exerted on a child to consume food has been connected with lower child BMI, while a more substantial practice of maternal food restriction has demonstrated a correlation with higher child BMI.…”