Maternal and paternal controlling feeding practices with male and female children

This study aimed to compare maternal and paternal feeding practices with male and female children and examine the influence of the gender of both the parent and child on the relationship between parental unhealthy eating attitudes and controlling feeding practices. One hundred and eighty-eight participants (94 co-habiting mother-father dyads, mean age 36.4 years, SD=4.9), who were the parents of 46 male and 48 female children (mean age 37.7 months, SD=12.7) completed measures of unhealthy eating attitudes and feeding practices. Mothers and fathers differed significantly in their reports of unhealthy eating attitudes but not in their restrictive or pressurising feeding practices. Mothers reported greater perceived feeding responsibility and greater monitoring of their children's food intake than fathers. Bulimia scores were correlated with controlling feeding practices in mothers of girls but not boys. Fathers' body dissatisfaction was correlated with monitoring of sons' but not daughters' food intake. These findings suggest that parental extrapolation of weight concerns may be more likely to occur within mother-daughter and father-son relationships.     

Predictors of harsh parenting practices in parents of children with disabilities

International research indicates that children with disabilities are more exposed to negative parenting than their non-disabled peers. The mechanisms behind this increased risk are likely operating at the levels of the individual child, the family and the broader social context. The present study investigated harsh parenting practices using self-report data from Swedish parents of children with disabilities (30 mothers and 14 fathers) and control parents (145 mothers and 25 fathers). Sweden provides an interesting context for the current research since it has outlawed physical punishment of children, displays comparatively small gaps in socio-economic circumstances and has implemented an extensive welfare system addressing the needs of children with disabilities and their families. There was no difference in harsh parenting practices between parents of children with disabilities and control parents. However, more fathers of children with disabilities than control fathers admitted use of violence at least once. Within the group of parents of children with disabilities, child disruptive behaviour problems predicted harsh parenting practices. Socio-economic disadvantage did not predict harsh parenting practices and possible explanations for this absent finding are discussed. Clinical and policy implications are discussed.     

Controlling feeding practices and psychopathology in a non-clinical sample of mothers and fathers

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationships between controlling feeding practices and a range of mental health symptoms while considering both parent and child gender. METHOD: Mothers and fathers (N=214) of children aged 18-59 months completed self-report measures of their child feeding practices, eating psychopathology and general mental health symptomology. RESULTS: Feeding practices did not differ across any of the four parent-child gender dyads. Mothers' eating psychopathology scores were significantly higher than fathers' but parents did not significantly differ in the severity of their other mental health symptoms. Associations between disordered eating symptoms and controlling feeding practices were only seen in mothers of daughters and fathers of sons. In general, a range of mental health symptomologies in this non-clinical sample were related to more controlling feeding practices across all four dyads. Psychopathology was most strongly related to controlling feeding practices in parents of girls. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of psychopathology may be more likely to associate with controlling feeding practices in parents of daughters due to societal values for slimness in females.     

How Do French Parents Determine Portion Sizes for Their Pre-Schooler? A Qualitative Exploration of the Parent–Child Division of Responsibility and Influencing Factors

Large portion sizes can make children overeat, alter their self-regulation abilities and induce weight gain. However, little is known about how parents determine portion sizes for their children. Using semi-structured interviews with 5 fathers and 32 mothers of pre-schoolers, this study examined French parents’ food portioning practices. The division of responsibility between parent and child in deciding portion sizes was explored, as well as the influencing factors and possible sources of information. Parents described a wide range of practices. For most, determining portion sizes is an intuitive action that depends on habits and mainly arises from experiences with feeding their child and his/her appetitive traits. Few parents grant autonomy to their child for portioning and serving food, especially for the first serving. Many influencing factors were identified, including child-related (e.g., appetite, food preferences), parent-related (e.g., avoiding food waste), and external factors (e.g., influence of siblings, French food culture). Most parents do not search for information/recommendations to guide their practices. Stimulating optimal self-regulation of eating in children is important and parents can play a crucial role in this. This study identified barriers and facilitators to guide parents in providing appropriate portion sizes and help include children in this decision process.     

The role of child temperament in parental child feeding practices and attitudes using a sibling design

Although previous research indicates that parental child feeding practices are one component of a bidirectional relationship between children and parents, little is known about how child temperament operates in this relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between child temperament and parental feeding practices and attitudes using a sibling design. By collecting data regarding pairs of siblings, we were able to investigate sibling differences and differential parental treatment. We examined mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of their two children's temperaments as well as reports of the feeding practices and attitudes they use with each child. Fifty-five mothers and fathers completed questionnaires including the Carey Temperament Scales and the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ). Results from correlation analyses showed that 6 of the 9 father reports of temperament between two siblings were positively related, whereas 1 of the 9 mother reports were positively related. Mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of temperament were positively correlated for a single child. Some patterns were found between parental reports of sibling temperament and child feeding practices and attitudes, suggesting that temperament plays a role in how parents feed their children.     

Comparing Maternal and Paternal Complementary Feeding Practices: Findings From an Online Survey

ObjectiveTo explore differences between mothers’ and fathers’ complementary feeding practices.MethodsAn online survey of UK parents with a healthy child in complementary feeding age. Timing of introducing solid foods and adherence to feeding guidelines were assessed. Dietary quality was measured using the Complementary Feeding Utility Index.ResultsIn a sample of 60 mothers and fathers (nondyads), there were no differences between fathers and mothers in the timing of introduction of solid foods, compliance with complementary feeding guidelines, or dietary quality. Most fathers who participated had a male child, whereas mothers had an equal number of male and female children (P < 0.001). The proportion of mothers who followed baby-led weaning was higher compared with fathers (P = 0.02).Conclusions and ImplicationsStudy findings reveal no gender differences in parental complementary feeding practices apart from the use of baby-led weaning. Future studies with bigger male samples are warranted to explore the paternal role during complementary feeding.     

Are parenting style and controlling feeding practices related?

This study examined the relationships between parenting styles, feeding practices and BMI in a non-clinical sample of mothers and fathers of UK preschool children. Ninety-six cohabiting parents of 48 children (19 male, 29 female, mean age 42 months) completed a series of self-report questionnaires assessing parenting style, feeding practices, eating psychopathology and a range of demographic information. There were no relationships between authoritarian parenting and controlling feeding practices. In both mothers and fathers, permissive parenting style was related to lower monitoring of children's unhealthy food intake. Permissive parenting was also associated with increased use of restriction by mothers and pressure to eat by fathers. Authoritative parenting style was also related to lower use of pressure to eat by fathers only. Parenting styles were not related to child BMI in this sample. Higher child BMI was best predicted by lower paternal application of pressure to eat and greater paternal reports of drive for thinness. Parenting style may not have a direct impact on child BMI until child food selection and consumption becomes more autonomous.     

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Child Feeding Questionnaire: a measure of parental attitudes, beliefs and practices about child feeding and obesity proneness

The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) is a self-report measure to assess parental beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding child feeding, with a focus on obesity proneness in children. Confirmatory factor analysis tested a 7-factor model, which included four factors measuring parental beliefs related to child's obesity proneness, and three factors measuring parental control practices and attitudes regarding child feeding. Using a sample of 394 mothers and fathers, three models were tested, and the third model confirmed an acceptable fit, including correlated factors. Internal consistencies for the seven factors were above 0.70. With minor changes, this same 7-factor model was also confirmed in a second sample of 148 mothers and fathers, and a third sample of 126 Hispanic mothers and fathers. As predicted, four of the seven factors were related to an independent measure of children's weight status, providing initial support for the validity of the instrument. The CFQ can be used to assess aspects of child-feeding perceptions, attitudes, and practices and their relationships to children's developing food acceptance patterns, the controls of food intake, and obesity. The CFQ is designed for use with parents of children ranging in age from about 2 to 11 years of age.     

A comparison between the feeding practices of parents and grandparents

Grandparents play a valuable role in the socialisation of young children, and as many as 36% of British parents use grandparents as their main form of childcare. Research has begun to explore how grandparents impact the social and cognitive development of children, but very little research has evaluated their contribution to child feeding. The present study explores whether there are differences between parents and grandparents in terms of their feeding practices, and whether grandparents' feeding practices are related to the number of hours that they spend caring for grandchildren. Results indicate that grandparents reported using significantly more maladaptive feeding practices such as using food to regulate emotions and restricting food, but more positive practices such as providing a healthy food environment. The more hours that grandparents spent caring for children the more their feeding practices resembled those broadly reported by parents. Results suggest that grandparents can have a measurable impact on child feeding behaviour which in turn is likely to predict the eating behaviours of their grandchildren.     

Parents' reports of the body shape and feeding habits of 36-month-old children: an investigation of gender differences

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined parental perception of offspring body shape, differential reporting of offspring eating behaviors by mothers and fathers, and gender-specific patterns of offspring feeding habits. METHODS: Parents of a community sample of 36-month-old children (N = 93) completed measures regarding their offspring's feeding patterns and body shape. RESULTS: Results revealed noteworthy correlates (e.g., concerns about their child's appetite) of parental perception of offspring weight status. They further suggested that mothers and fathers often differed in their accounts of their child's eating habits, and that parents report certain eating behaviors differently depending on the gender of their child. CONCLUSION: Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.     

More controlling child-feeding practices are found among parents of boys with an average body mass index compared with parents of boys with a high body mass index

OBJECTIVE: To determine if differences existed in mothers' and fathers' perceptions of their sons' weight, controlling child-feeding practices (ie, restriction, monitoring, and pressure to eat), and parenting styles (ie, authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive) by their sons' body mass index (BMI). DESIGN: One person (L.S.B.) interviewed mothers and boys using validated questionnaires and measured boys' weight and height; fathers completed questionnaires independently. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Subjects were white, preadolescent boys and their parents. Boys were grouped by their BMI into an average BMI group (n=25; BMI percentile between 33rd and 68th) and a high BMI group (n=24; BMI percentile > or = 85th). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Multivariate analyses of variance and analyses of variance. RESULTS: Mothers and fathers of boys with a high BMI saw their sons as more overweight (mothers P=.03, fathers P=.01), were more concerned about their sons' weight (P<.0001, P=.004), and used pressure to eat with their sons less often than mothers and fathers of boys with an average BMI (P<.0001, P<.0001). In addition, fathers of boys with a high BMI monitored their sons' eating less often than fathers of boys with an average BMI (P=.006). No differences were found in parenting by boys' BMI groups for either mothers or fathers. CONCLUSIONS: More controlling child-feeding practices were found among mothers (pressure to eat) and fathers (pressure to eat and monitoring) of boys with an average BMI compared with parents of boys with a high BMI. A better understanding of the relationships between feeding practices and boys' weight is necessary. However, longitudinal research is needed to provide evidence of causal association.     

Parenting Young Children: Comparison of a Psychoeducational Program in Mexico and the United States

The purpose of this study was to compare the cross-cultural effectiveness of a psychoeducational program with 82 Mexican and 63 American mothers with very young children. The 10-hour program was presented by trained facilitators in Mexico and the United States to small groups of mothers. Results showed that the both groups of mothers significantly increased their expectations and use of nurturing strategies and reduced their use of verbal and corporal punishment with their young children following the program. In addition, the reported frequency of child behavior problems decreased significantly at post-test. The similar results obtained across cultures were explained based on research finding similar parenting practices with young children between Mexican and American parents.     

Sociocultural and Environmental Influences on Brazilian Immigrant Mothers’ Beliefs and Practices Related to Child Feeding and Weight Status

Background Length of residence in the United States (US), changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors, and economic and social barriers contribute to high childhood obesity rates among children from immigrant families in the US. Brazilians comprise a fast-growing immigrant population group in the US, yet little research has focused on health issues affecting Brazilian children in immigrant families. Understanding sociocultural and environmental influences on parents’ beliefs and practices related to child feeding and weight status is essential to altering obesity trends in this group. Methods Qualitative study consisting of five focus groups with a convenience sample of 29 Brazilian immigrant mothers. Results Analyses revealed that the sociocultural and environment transitions faced by Brazilian immigrant mothers’ influence their beliefs and practices related to child feeding and weight status. Additionally, acculturation emerged as a factor affecting mothers’ feeding practices and their children’s eating habits, with mothers preferring Brazilian food environments and that their children preferring American food environments. Mothers viewed themselves as being responsible for promoting and maintaining their children’s healthy eating and feeding behaviors, but changes in their social and cultural environments due to immigration and the pressures and demands of raising a family in a new country make this difficult. Conclusions Health promotion interventions to improve healthful eating and feeding practices of Brazilian children in immigrant families must account for social and cultural changes and daily life demands due to immigration as well as potential variation in the levels of acculturation between mothers and their children.     

Parenting Young Children: Comparison of a Psychoeducational Program in Mexico and the United States∗

The purpose of this study was to compare the cross‐cultural effectiveness of a psychoeducational program with 82 Mexican and 63 American mothers with very young children. The 10‐hour program was presented by trained facilitators in Mexico and the United States to small groups of mothers. Results showed that the both groups of mothers significantly increased their expectations and use of nurturing strategies and reduced their use of verbal and corporal punishment with their young children following the program. In addition, the reported frequency of child behavior problems decreased significantly at post‐test. The similar results obtained across cultures were explained based on research finding similar parenting practices with young children between Mexican and American parents.

     

Confirmatory factor analysis of a questionnaire measuring control in parental feeding practices in mothers of Head Start children

Parental control in child feeding has focused primarily on directive types of control, such as pressure to eat and food restriction. This study aimed to develop an instrument to assess other types of directive control and two additional aspects of parental child feeding, non-directive and food environmental control. Mothers of Head Start children (n=330) completed a 29-item instrument designed to assess these three feeding constructs and reported their children's food intakes. Researchers measured heights and weights of both mothers and children. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model with three constructs did not provide an acceptable fit to the data, but an alternative model with seven sub-constructs did (Chi-square=330, df=228 p<.05, CFI=.942, RMSEA=.037). The latter model included 24 items loading onto one of the following seven factors: high control, high contingency, child-centered feeding, encouraging nutrient-dense foods, discouraging energy-dense foods, mealtime behaviors, and timing of meals. By allowing researchers to quantitatively measure feeding practices in parents with limited resources, this instrument may contribute to an improved understanding of how parental child feeding behaviors can influence children's food intakes and weight status.     

Who’s reading to children in low‐income families? The influence of paternal,maternal and child characteristics

Most research on parental bookreading has focused on mothers reading to their children. This study examined bookreading practices among approximately 800 fathers and mothers in low‐income families. We looked at differences and similarities between families where both parents read frequently compared to families where only mothers read frequently. In more than a third of the low‐income families in this study, both parents reported reading to their young children on a regular basis (daily or weekly). Parents who were higher educated, who had girls and who had children with better language and cognitive skills were more likely to read frequently to their children. Intervention efforts to increase reading in the home to toddlers and preschoolers in low‐income families should be targeted at fathers, a relatively under‐tapped resource, and should focus on families in which parents have lower levels of education and those whose children have less advanced cognitive and language skills.     

孤独症患儿父母压力和情绪变化及相关因素

【目的】 探讨孤独症患儿父母压力和情绪变化及其相关因素。 【方法】 采用父母压力指数量表(PSI)、孤独症行为量表(ABC)、孤独症评定量表(CARS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)和焦虑自评量表(SAS)对孤独症患儿父母进行评定;采用PSI、SDS和SAS量表对正常儿童父母进行评定。 【结果】 1)孤独症患儿父母PSI总分及各分量表分均显著高于正常儿童父母(P=0.000);2)患儿父、母亲SDS和SAS分均显著高于正常儿童父母(P= 0.000)。患儿母亲SDS和SAS分均高于患儿父亲得分(P=0.000),患儿母亲抑郁发生率高于父亲(P=0.000);3)患儿父母的压力与患儿症状严重度正相关(P<0.01);4)多元回归结果表明孤独症患儿ABC量表分、孤独症患儿母亲的焦虑以及患儿年龄影响孤独症儿童父母压力,解释了总变异的54.9%。 【结论】 孤独症患儿父母承受着较高的压力、焦虑和抑郁水平,孤独症患儿母亲比患儿父亲及正常儿童父母更易发生抑郁,患儿行为问题是父母压力的主要影响因素。     

Family adaptation and psychosocial adjustment to cystic fibrosis in the preschool child

The parents of 80% (41 of 51) of preschoolers with cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnosed at least 1 year prior to the study and attending the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) CF Clinic completed the Problem Inventory (PINV), Preschool Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ) and Family Assessment Measure (FAM). The mean age of the CF children was 3.7 years. Parents of a control group of 31 healthy daycare children with a mean age of 3.6 years completed the same questionnaires. Parents of healthy preschoolers reported more child-related problems for 2-5 year olds than did parents of CF children (P less than 0.001) suggesting that parents who have confronted the CF diagnosis go on to minimize the normal stresses of the developmental period. Considerable agreement was seen between PINV scores for mothers and fathers in each group, revealing that parents in a given family perceive similarly the impact their child has upon them. The mean PBQ for CF preschoolers was not significantly different from that of the control group, although there was some tendency toward hostile aggressive behavior in the CF group. Surprisingly, total FAM scores of all samples showed no significant differences with the exception of a better total FAM score for fathers of CF children when compared to control fathers revealing that the CF family is not, during the early years of relative health stability, adversely affected. Two subscales were significantly elevated, social desirability (for CF mothers and fathers) and denial (for CF mothers only), describing an important response style which may enhance mastery of long-term stress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Predictors of paternal and maternal controlling feeding practices with 2- to 5-year-old children

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify predictors of controlling feeding practices in both mothers and fathers of young children.DesignCross-sectional, questionnaire design.SettingNursery schools within the United Kingdom recruited participants.ParticipantsNinety-six mothers and fathers comprising 48 mother-father pairs of male and female children aged 2 to 5 years.Main Outcome MeasuresParents' child feeding practices, eating psychopathology, general mental health symptomology, and their children's eating behaviors and temperament.AnalysisPreliminary correlations; stepwise regressions.ResultsMaternal controlling feeding was predicted by children's eating behaviors (emotional over- and undereating), child temperament (sociability), and maternal general mental health symptoms. Paternal reports of children's eating behaviors (slow eating and emotional undereating) were the only significant predictors of fathers' controlling feeding practices.Conclusions and ImplicationsMothers' and fathers' feeding practices seem to be better linked to child characteristics than to the presence of eating psychopathology symptoms. Children's emotional eating predicted all 3 controlling feeding practices in mothers and warrants further study to elucidate the causal nature of this relationship.     

Food avoidance in children. The influence of maternal feeding practices and behaviours

The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of a broad range of maternal feeding practices in predicting parental reports of food avoidance eating behaviours in young children, after controlling for child temperament, and maternal dietary restraint which have previously been associated with feeding problems. One hundred and four mothers of children aged between 3 and 6 years completed self report measures of their child's eating behaviour and temperament, maternal dietary restraint and child feeding practices. Maternal reports of food avoidance eating behaviours were associated with an emotional child temperament, high levels of maternal feeding control, using food for behaviour regulation and low encouragement of a balanced and varied food intake. Maternal feeding practices, predominantly pressure to eat, significantly predicted food avoidance eating behaviours after controlling for child emotionality and maternal dietary restraint. The significant contribution of maternal feeding practices, which are potentially modifiable behaviours, suggests that the feeding interactions of parents and their children should be targeted for intervention and the prevention of feeding difficulties during early childhood. Future research should continue to explore how a broader range of feeding practices, particular those that may be more adaptive, might influence child eating behaviour.