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Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 February 2024) | Viewed by 12458

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Prof. Dr. Sonia Vega-López

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Guest Editor

College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Interests: nutrition; Hispanic health; health equity; public health; chronic disease prevention; minority health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite multiple efforts to promote healthy eating, the diet of most children and adolescents does not fully align with current dietary guidance. Parents are highly influential on their children’s dietary intake and behaviors, not only because they are key decision-makers about food availability within their household, but also due to their role as models for dietary behaviors and due to their influence through food-related parenting practices. Although it is known that food parenting practices are associated with children’s dietary intake and behaviors, less is known about how individual, family, or environmental factors influence those associations, particularly among children and adolescents from diverse ages and backgrounds. Further, the role of food parenting practices on disease risk factors and health outcomes, beyond obesity, is less studied. The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight the current evidence regarding the role of food parenting practices on children’s and adolescents’ dietary behaviors and their downstream diet-related health outcomes through the use of qualitative, observational, and intervention research methodologies.

Prof. Dr. Sonia Vega-López
Guest Editor

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Keywords

adolescents
children
dietary behaviors
food parenting practices
health outcomes
parenting interventions
parenting practices
parents
risk factors

Published Papers (11 papers)

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20 pages, 329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Effect of Parenting Style and Parental Mealtime Actions on the Eating Behavior of Children with Epilepsy

by Tutku Balcı, Nihan Çakır Biçer, Hande Gazeteci Tekin and Pınar Edem

Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1384; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091384 - 2 May 2024

Viewed by 595

Abstract

Background: Research on the interaction of parenting style, parents’ mealtime behaviors, and children’s eating behavior in the presence of chronic disease is limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of parenting style and parental mealtime actions on the eating behavior of children with epilepsy. Methods: Thirty-one children with epilepsy, thirty-one healthy children (aged 4–9 years), and their parents were included. The Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPS), Parent Mealtime Action Scale, Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 were applied. The MAPS, HEI-2015 scores, and body mass index for age Z scores were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). In the epilepsy group, the food approach behavior score was higher, and positive correlations were noted between broadband negative parenting and food approach behavior, and the HEI-2015 score and broadband positive parenting (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that broadband negative parenting and snack modeling increased the food approach behavior in the epilepsy group. Owing to the chronic disease, the effects of parent–child interaction on the child’s eating behavior in the epilepsy group differed from those of healthy children reported in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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12 pages, 465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Higher Numbers of Family Meals and Social Eating Behavior Are Associated with Greater Self-Esteem among Adolescents: The EHDLA

by José Francisco López-Gil, Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza and David Manzano-Sánchez

Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081216 - 19 Apr 2024

Viewed by 518

Abstract

Background: the aim of this study was to assess the associations of family meals and social eating behavior with self-esteem levels among Spanish adolescents. Methods: This was a secondary cross-sectional study including 706 participants (aged 12 to 17 years; 56.1% girls) from the Eating Habits and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) study. The evaluation of the frequency of family meals involved participants providing information in physical education classes on how frequently they, along with other members of their household, had shared meals in the previous week. Social eating behavior was assessed by three different statements: “I usually have dinner with others”, “Having at least one meal a day with others (family or friends) is important to me”, and “I enjoy sitting down with family or friends for a meal”. To assess overall self-esteem, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used. Results: In the adjusted models, a positive association was observed between the frequency of family meals and the self-esteem score (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = 0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.003 to 0.12, p-adjusted = 0.040). Furthermore, the same positive association was also identified between social eating behavior and the self-esteem score (B = 0.23; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.40, p-adjusted = 0.005). Conclusions: Although self-esteem is complex and can be influenced by numerous factors, both family meals and social eating behavior may exert a relevant role in adolescents. Encouraging consistent participation in family meals and promoting positive eating practices could be valuable approaches in public health actions targeting the enhancement of self-esteem levels in adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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19 pages, 834 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responsive Feeding Practices to Promote Healthy Diets: A Mixed Method Study among Low-Income Caregivers with Toddlers

by Kate E. Killion, Amy Corcoran, Maria J. Romo-Palafox, Jennifer L. Harris, Inna Kagan, Laura Gilbert and Valerie B. Duffy

Nutrients 2024, 16(6), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060863 - 16 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1008

Abstract

Responsive feeding (RF), the reciprocal feeding approach between caregiver and child that promotes child health, is understudied among low-income caregivers. This mixed methods study with low-income caregivers of 12-to-36-month-olds aimed to (1) assess variability in RF and associations with children’s dietary intake, and (2) explore caregivers’ perceptions of RF. Caregivers (n = 134) completed an online survey with RF questions (n = 25), grouped into environmental (meal environment, caregiver modeling, caregiver beliefs) and child (self-regulation, hunger/satiety cues, food for reward, food acceptance) influences scores. Children’s recent food group consumption was loaded onto healthy and less healthy intake scores. In an adjusted multiple linear regression analysis, greater RF scores for environmental and child influences were associated with greater healthy intake scores (p’s < 0.01). Greater scores for environmental influences were also associated with lower scores for unhealthy intake (p < 0.01). From focus groups with a separate sample of caregivers (n = 24), thematic analysis uncovered that two themes aligned (trust in child cues, positive strategies to encourage children to eat non-preferred foods) and two misaligned (lack of trust in child cues, use of force/bribery) with RF. Complementary integration of quantitative and qualitative findings can inform future interventions with low-income caregivers, encouraging trust in young children’s hunger/satiety cues and positive strategies for food acceptance to improve diet quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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22 pages, 575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Fish Intake and Complying with Fish Consumption Recommendations—A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study among Secondary School Students in Poland

by Zofia Utri-Khodadady, Dominika Skolmowska and Dominika Głąbska

Nutrients 2024, 16(6), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060853 - 15 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1032

Abstract

Fish intake in youth is commonly inadequate with several potential determinants. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the influence of potential fish intake determinants in a nationwide sample of Polish youth. Associations between the participants’ fish intake and their gender, age, body mass index, place of residence (region and size of locality), school type, nutritional knowledge about fish, and their parents’/legal guardians’ fish intake were assessed. A total sample of 1317 adolescents (870 female, 447 male) aged 14–22 from 32 secondary schools from all regions of Poland participated in the study. Median fish intake among the youth was 34.9 g/week. The recommendation to consume at least 300 g of fish/week was followed by 6% of participants. Fish intake was determined by gender and the type of school, with males and comprehensive high school students consuming more fish, but it was not determined by the region or size of the locality of residence and age group, nor did the body mass index determine fish intake. Participants’ fish intake was positively associated with their nutritional knowledge about fish, as well as with their parents’/legal guardians’ fish intake. Most youths do not follow the recommendation to consume at least 300 g of fish weekly; hence, nutritional education on the recommendations and the benefits of fish consumption is necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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20 pages, 478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Can We Increase the Nutrition-Related Knowledge in Children Aged 7–12 Years: Results of Focus Groups Interviews with Parents—Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project

by Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina, Jadwiga Hamulka and Krystyna Gutkowska

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010129 - 30 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1366

Abstract

Nutrition education is a long-term process that should cover various population groups. A special focus should be placed on children, adolescents and their parents. The aim of this research was to find out the opinions of parents of primary school pupils aged 7–12 on their expectations towards school education in the areas of food and nutrition, addressed to both pupils and their parents. The research was conducted among 101 parents of primary school pupils with the use of the Focus Group Interview (FGI) method. It demonstrated that what is most needed are hands-on activities relating to basic theoretical issues. While parents see the need for nutrition education for their children, educating pupils in this area is of interest to only some of the respondents for whom nutrition aspects are quite important. All parents would like formal nutrition education at school, but at the same time, they do not want classes to take up too much of their children’s time, due to the already excessive number of school subjects. It seems appropriate to include everyone in regard to nutrition education, regardless of their declared interest in this issue. The need for consistent presentation of educational content addressed to teachers and parents is very important, so that they can, in a uniform way, shape the attitudes towards food and nutrition of children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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15 pages, 1077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bidirectional Associations between Parental Feeding Practices and Child Eating Behaviors in a Chinese Sample

by Jian Wang, Ruxing Wu, Xiaoxue Wei, Yan-Shing Chang, Xianqing Tang, Bingqian Zhu, Yang Cao, Yinghui Wu and Daqiao Zhu

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010044 - 22 Dec 2023

Viewed by 860

Abstract

Background: Child eating behaviors (CEBs) and parental feeding practices (PFPs) play critical roles in childhood obesity. However, the bidirectional relationships between CEBs and PFPs remain equivocal. This longitudinal study aimed to explore their bidirectional relationships. Methods: A convenience sample of 870 parents with preschoolers was recruited in this longitudinal study (Shanghai, China). Three non-responsive feeding practices (NFPs), three responsive feeding practices (RFPs), five CEBs, and covariates were collected using validated questionnaires at baseline and the 6-month follow-up. Cross-lagged analyses using structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed to examine their bidirectional relationships. Results: Eight hundred and fifty-three parents completed questionnaires, with a response rate of 98%. The mean age of their children at baseline was 4.39 years (standard deviation = 0.72 years). Eighteen out of sixty longitudinal cross-lagged paths were statistically significant. Parental encouragement of healthy eating and content-restricted feeding were found to be bidirectionally associated with child food fussiness. Four parent-driven associations and one child-driven association were identified between RFPs and CEBs. For example, monitoring was negatively associated with children’s unhealthy eating habits (β = −0.066, standard error (SE) = 0.025, p < 0.01). Eight child-driven associations and one parent-driven association were observed between NFPs and CEBs. For example, higher child satiety responsiveness predicted a higher pressure to eat (β = 0.057, SE = 0.029, p < 0.01) and the use of food as a reward (β = 0.083, SE = 0.031, p < 0.01). Conclusions: There were bidirectional, parent-driven, and child-driven associations. Parents should be encouraged to adopt RFPs to shape CEBs. Increasing parents’ understanding of CEBs and providing them with reasonable coping strategies would help optimize PFPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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23 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Family Environment as a Source for Creating the Dietary Attitudes of Primary School Students—A Focus Group Interview: The Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project

by Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina, Krystyna Gutkowska and Jadwiga Hamulka

Nutrients 2023, 15(23), 4930; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234930 - 26 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1351

Abstract

The family environment plays a crucial role in creating the health behaviours of children and youth. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of parents with children aged 7–12 who represent an influential environment for creating the eating behaviours of children. A qualitative study was conducted using focus-group interviews (FGI) involving 101 parents from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Three categories of parents were identified based on their level of involvement and awareness of nutrition: ‘aware’, ‘determined’, and ‘relaxed’. Among parents of 10–12-year-old students, an additional category, ‘distanced’ parents, was identified. The study revealed that parents require support in terms of providing compelling arguments and practical recommendations related to meals and reducing or eliminating their children’s consumption of sweets, snacks, fast food, and, in the case of older students, energy drinks. Parents reported that their children had a moderate understanding of the principles of proper nutrition. The majority of respondents viewed this knowledge as primarily theoretical and expressed a need for practical guidance and activities, which they believe should be offered by schools. To achieve positive outcomes in educational activities related to food and nutrition, it is essential to involve children, parents, guardians, teachers, and other school staff in these efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

12 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a New Questionnaire to Assess Parental Perceived Barriers When Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Young Children: First Findings

by Ana Isabel Gomes, Ana Isabel Pereira, Patrícia Canhoto Nogueira and Luísa Barros

Nutrients 2023, 15(21), 4672; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214672 - 4 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1306

Abstract

Social cognitive models suggest a crucial role played by perceived barriers in promoting healthy behaviors, including healthy eating. We aimed to develop a new questionnaire to assess parental perceived barriers to healthy feeding in young children and perform the instrument’s preliminary psychometric evaluation. The initial pool of items was developed based on reviews and qualitative studies. First, we conducted an online, descriptive, cross-sectional study with 278 parents of 2–6-year-old children to examine its factorial structure and internal consistency. Then, a second study with 168 parents from a similar population assessed convergent/discriminant and known-groups validity. The exploratory factorial analysis confirmed the scale’s theoretical structure. Five scales were found: Child-Related Barriers, Parent-Related Barriers—Vegetables and Fruit, Parent-Related Barriers—Added Sugars, Social Context-Related Barriers, and Cost-Related Barriers. All scales presented adequate reliability. We found weak to moderate, negative, and significant correlations between child- and parent-related barriers regarding vegetables and fruits, feeding practices to promote children’s eating self-regulation, and food parenting self-efficacy. Additionally, parents who perceived their children as easy and well-regulated reported significantly fewer child-related barriers than parents with poorly self-regulated and inhibited children. The results support the instrument’s preliminary psychometric adequacy regarding its validity and reliability and corroborate earlier empirical studies about the main parental barriers when promoting young children’s healthy eating habits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

15 pages, 1273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diet Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing a Parenting Intervention Simultaneously Targeting Healthy Eating and Substance Use Prevention among Hispanic Middle-School Adolescents

by Sonia Vega-López, Stephanie Ayers, Anaid Gonzalvez, Ana Paola Campos, Flavio F. Marsiglia, Meg Bruening, Lela Rankin, Beatriz Vega Luna, Elizabeth Biggs and Alex Perilla

Nutrients 2023, 15(17), 3790; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173790 - 30 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1099

Abstract

Parents play a significant role in adolescent health behaviors; however, few nutrition interventions for Hispanic adolescents involve parents. This study assessed the effects of a 10-week parenting intervention simultaneously targeting nutrition and substance use prevention. Hispanic parent/6th–8th-grade adolescent dyads (n = 239) were randomized to Families Preparing the New Generation Plus (FPNG+; nutrition/substance use prevention), FPNG (substance use prevention only), or Realizing the American Dream (RAD; academic success control). Surveys assessed diet, alcohol use, substance use intentions, and substance use norms at baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (T2), and at 16 weeks post-intervention (T3). Latent change modeling assessed diet changes; adolescent substance use outcomes were assessed using effect sizes. Among adolescents, those in FPNG+ increased fruit (+0.32 cup equivalents, p = 0.022) and fiber intake (+1.06 g, p = 0.048) and did not change added sugars intake at T2; those in FPNG and RAD reduced their intake of fruit and fiber (p < 0.05 for both). FPNG+ parents marginally increased fruit/vegetable intake (+0.17 cup equivalents, p = 0.054) and increased whole grains intake (+0.25-ounce equivalents, p < 0.05), in contrast to the reduction among RAD and FPNG parents (p < 0.05). Reductions in added sugar intake at T2 were greater among FPNG and FPNG+ parents relative to RAD parents (p < 0.05). FPNG+ and FPNG had comparable substance use outcomes (i.e., both had lower alcohol use and intentions to use substances relative to RAD). Engaging parents in a nutrition and substance use prevention parenting intervention yielded positive changes in dietary intake and maintained substance use prevention outcomes among their adolescent children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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12 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parents’ Diet Quality and Physical Activity Are Associated with Lifestyle in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The PASOS Study

by Margalida Monserrat-Mesquida, Marina Ródenas-Munar, Santiago F. Gómez, Julia Wärnberg, María Medrano, Marcela González-Gross, Narcís Gusi, Susana Aznar, Elena Marín-Cascales, Miguel A. González-Valeiro, Lluís Serra-Majem, Susana Pulgar, Marta Segu, Montse Fitó, Genís Según, Juan Carlos Benavente-Marín, Idoia Labayen, Augusto G. Zapico, Jesús Sánchez-Gómez, Fabio Jiménez-Zazo, Pedro E. Alcaraz, Marta Sevilla-Sánchez, Estefanía Herrera-Ramos, Helmut Schröder, Josep A. Tur and Cristina Bouzas Show full author list Hide full author list

Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3617; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163617 - 17 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1873

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable chronic diseases are associated with a low-quality diet, low physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Objective: To assess how parents’ diet and physical activity habits were associated with their offsprings’ lifestyles. Study design: A cross-sectional analysis of 8–16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 2539; 51.9% girls) was carried out within the frame of the first edition of the Physical Activity, Sedentarism, Lifestyles, and Obesity in Spanish Youth study (PASOS-2019). Data on adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), daily moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and screen time per day (television, computer, video games, and mobile phone) were collected from children and adolescents, and data on parents’ diet quality and physical activity were compiled. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between parents’ lifestyles and those of children and adolescents. Results: High diet quality of parents was associated with higher adherence to the MedDiet of children and adolescents, as well as high consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, and legumes. The high physical activity level of parents was associated with the low consumption of fast foods, sweets, and candies in children and adolescents. Children with high levels of physical activity were those whose parents showed better diet quality and physical activity levels. Conclusions: Parents’ high diet quality and physical activity were associated with healthy lifestyles, higher adherence to the MedDiet, and physical activity of their offspring, mainly in adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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10 pages, 255 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Are Caregivers’ Feeding Competence and Autonomy Associated with Healthier Restaurant Food Purchases for Their Child at Fast Food or Counter Service Restaurants? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Diverse Sample of U.S. Caregivers

by Violeta Chacón, Sara C. Folta, Erin Hennessy, Tashara M. Leak, Hannah Macfarlane, Christina A. Roberto, Alison Tovar, Norbert Wilson and Christina D. Economos

Nutrients 2024, 16(4), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040479 - 7 Feb 2024

Viewed by 711

Abstract

This study examined the cross-sectional relationship between caregivers’ perceived competence and autonomy (as defined by the Self-Determination Theory) and their fast food or counter service restaurant food purchases (side dishes, beverage, and dessert) for their child. A U.S. national convenience sample of caregivers with at least one 3–12-year-old child completed an online survey with questions adapted from the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory that measured perceived competence and autonomy for feeding fruits and vegetables and limiting sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and desserts. The survey included four questions asking about their fast food or counter service restaurant food purchases (side dish, beverage, and dessert). We applied logistic and multinomial logistic regression models to examine the associations between competence or autonomy and restaurant orders. Competence and autonomy were associated with ordering fruits and vegetables as side dishes (OR [95% CI], 1.14 [1.06, 1.24] and 1.09 [1.03, 1.14], respectively). However, higher competence was also associated with ordering desserts at restaurants and higher autonomy was associated with lower odds of ordering water. These findings will inform interventions and programs that aim to support caregivers’ psychological needs, like competence and autonomy, to promote supportive environments and healthier restaurant purchases for their children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Parenting Practices and Children’s Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes)

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