The association of problematic eating behaviours with food quality and body mass index at 7 years of age

Abstract

Background/objectives There is scarce evidence of how certain eating behaviours compromise the compliance with dietary guidelines and weight status in school-aged children. This study aims to evaluate the association of children's problematic eating behaviours with food quality and body mass index at 7 years of age. Subjects/methods Participants were children aged 7 years old from a population-based cohort study from Porto, PortugalGeneration XXI. Children's quantity and speed of ingestion, food refusal at the table and food rewards requesting were evaluated by caregiver's perception. Food consumption was evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire and compared with age-appropriate guidelines. Children's weight status was assessed by objective measurements and parent's perceptions. Associations were estimated by logistic regressions (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)) adjusted for maternal age, education, smoking during pregnancy, birth type, child's sex, weight-for-gestational age and sports (n = 3801). Results Children eating small amounts of food, refusing to eat at the table with the rest of the family during meals and asking for food rewards showed a higher consumption of energy-dense foods (OR = 1.51; 95% CI:1.23-1.86; OR = 1.58; 95% CI:1.16-2.16; OR = 1.56; 95% CI:1.14-2.12) and presented higher odds of consuming fruit and vegetables below recommendations (OR = 1.41; 95% CI:1.22-1.64; OR = 1.20; 95% CI:1.00-1.45; OR = 1.28; 95% CI:1.05-1.55). Children displaying these eating behaviours were less likely to be overweight/obese, hence their parents were less likely to show concern with their weight. Including food quality as covariate in the final models with obesity status did not change the associations. Conclusions Problematic eating behaviours were associated with poorer food quality (more energy-dense foods and low fruit and vegetables), but food quality does not seem to explain the association with obesity status. Parents were less likely to be concerned about their child's weight if the child ate slowly or poorly, and accordingly the odds of them being overweight or obese were lower.

Association between eating frequency and eating behaviours related to appetite from 4 to 7 years of age: Findings from the population-based birth cohort generation XXI

“…A prospective approach is the best way to clarify these relationships The prevalence of problematic behaviours perceived by the parents (defined as any behaviours reported, independently of the level of concern) ranged from 12% to 51% at 4 years and between 19% and 52% at 7 years of age. Previous studies have found similar prevalence rates, ranging between 3 to 66% (4)(5)(6) . The present study indicated also that the parental perception of problematic behaviours increased as the child gets older.…”

“…These questions were derived from some subscales of the CEBQ, namely FF, SE and FR. The point-biserial correlations between the three questions and the corresponding subscales in the original CEBQ were moderate to high (5) . As used before (40) , data on parental concerns were included as potential confounders of the association between eating frequency and subscales of the CEBQ at 7 years.…”

“…This supports the proposal that parents are aware of their children's eating behaviours as they grow and then change their concerns (and consequently behaviours) accordingly. Indeed, children perceived by the parents as eating large amounts of food were more likely to be overweight or obese and their parents were more likely to report concern about children's eating behaviour and weight (5) . On the other hand, children who eat very slowly or small quantities were less likely to be overweight or obese and accordingly the parents were less likely to show concern about their weight (5) .…”

“…Indeed, children perceived by the parents as eating large amounts of food were more likely to be overweight or obese and their parents were more likely to report concern about children's eating behaviour and weight (5) . On the other hand, children who eat very slowly or small quantities were less likely to be overweight or obese and accordingly the parents were less likely to show concern about their weight (5) . Moreover, a moderate correlation was found between the number of eating occasions at 4 and 7 years of age, which suggests that eating frequency is somewhat stable during childhood.…”

“…The prevalence of problem eating behaviours in childhood is increasing, ranging from picky eating to overeating and disinhibited eating, including a high food responsiveness, avid appetite, rapid eating and eating without hunger, which ultimately can lead to excess weight gain (4)(5)(6) .…”