Emotional Climate and Feeding Practices in Head Start Families
Author Information
Author(s): Sheryl O. Hughes, Thomas G. Power, Maria A. Papaioannou, Matthew B. Cross, Theresa A. Nicklas, Sharon K. Hall, Richard M. Shewchuk
Primary Institution: USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study aims to observe differences in the emotional climate created by parents and behavioral feeding practices among those reporting different feeding styles.
Conclusion
The emotional climate created by indulgent parents during dinner and their lack of demands on their children to eat may play an important role in how young children become overweight.
Supporting Evidence
- Indulgent parents made fewer demands on their children to eat during dinner.
- Indulgent parents showed lower levels of negative affect and intrusiveness.
- Hispanic boys with indulgent parents had significantly higher BMI z scores compared to boys in other feeding style groups.
Takeaway
This study looked at how parents' feelings and behaviors during dinner can affect how much their kids eat and their weight. It found that parents who are too relaxed about eating might lead their kids to gain too much weight.
Methodology
The study used an observational approach to examine the emotional climate of dinner meals and feeding practices among 177 Head Start families.
Potential Biases
Potential participant reactivity due to being observed may have influenced parents' usual meal time practices.
Limitations
The study was limited to observations during dinner and may not represent the full range of parental feeding behaviors.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 45% African-American and 55% Hispanic families with children aged 3 to 5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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