Premium
Feeding style and feeding practices and toddlers’ eating behaviors (379.1)
Author(s) -
Edelson Lisa,
Horst Klazine,
Kuenzel Johanna,
Martin Nathalie
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.379.1
Subject(s) - parenting styles , developmental psychology , eating behavior , observational study , psychology , meal , feeding behavior , style (visual arts) , healthy eating , medicine , obesity , physical activity , archaeology , pathology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , history
Objective : An authoritative feeding style has been associated with healthier diets in children. This study explores which practices mothers with different feeding styles report using and if these behaviors can be observed in mealtime interactions. Methods: A questionnaire about feeding styles and practices was completed by 1005 US mothers with children of 12‐36 months. 60 families with toddlers (also 12‐36 mo.) participated in an in‐home observational study of parent‐child mealtime interactions. Results: Authoritative parents were significantly more likely to report that they model and encourage healthy eating, allow children to choose which foods to eat and to participate in meal preparation. Authoritarian mothers reported using foods as rewards and encouraging children to clean their plate. Indulgent mothers often ate with their children and gave children control over how much to eat, and were less likely to restrict intake or use foods as rewards. Uninvolved mothers reported restricting foods to control their children’s weight. Parents of older children were more demanding than those of younger children, reflecting the child’s developing ability to regulate his behavior. Conclusions: Parents of different feeding styles report different feeding practices. Parents’ reported behaviors will be compared to those observed in the behavioral study and discussed in relation to the child’s eating behaviors.