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Associations of parents' use of food as reward with children's eating behaviour and BMI in a population‐based cohort
Author(s) -
Jansen Pauline W.,
Derks Ivonne P. M.,
Mou Yuchan,
Rijen Elisabeth H. M.,
Gaillard Romy,
Micali Nadia,
Voortman Trudy,
Hillegers Ma H. J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pediatric obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.226
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 2047-6310
pISSN - 2047-6302
DOI - 10.1111/ijpo.12662
Subject(s) - overeating , emotional eating , overweight , medicine , obesity , body mass index , population , anthropometry , childhood obesity , cohort , association (psychology) , food choice , demography , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , environmental health , psychology , eating behavior , pathology , sociology , psychotherapist
Summary Background Parents' use of food as reward has been linked to children's dietary intake, but the association with children's eating behaviour and overweight risk is less clear. Objectives To examine the temporal association of using food as reward with eating behaviour, body mass index (BMI) and weight status of children. Methods Participants were 3642 children of the population‐based Generation R Study in the Netherlands (8.3% overweight/obese). Repeated assessments were collected at child ages 4 and 9 years, including measured anthropometrics and parent reports on feeding practises and eating behaviour. Results Linear regressions and cross‐lagged models indicated that parents' use of food as reward at child age 4 years predicted Emotional Overeating and Picky Eating at age 9 years. Reversely, higher Emotional Overeating and Food Responsiveness scores were associated with more use of food as reward over time. Using food as reward was not associated with children's satiety response, BMI or overweight risk. Conclusions A vicious cycle may appear in which children who display food approach behaviour are rewarded with food by their parents, which in turn might contribute to the development of unhealthy eating habits (emotional eating, fussiness). These findings warrant further research, to facilitate evidence‐based recommendations for parents.