Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
07:07

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

9.3K

Parental monitoring may protect impulsive children from overeating

C Bennett1, J Blissett1

  • 1School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Pediatric Obesity
|May 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Motor impulsivity in young children is linked to higher weight. Parental feeding styles can help manage impulsive eating behaviors, potentially protecting children from excessive weight gain.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Existing research indicates a connection between impulsivity and weight in children and adults.
  • However, the specific mechanisms linking impulsivity to increased adiposity in very young children remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationships between impulsivity, body weight, and eating behaviors in a sample of 95 children aged 2 to 4 years.
  • To examine the role of specific impulsivity facets, such as delay of gratification and motor impulsivity, in relation to weight and eating patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a laboratory setting where parent-child dyads participated in a meal.
  • Parents completed questionnaires assessing child impulsivity, eating behaviors, and their own feeding practices.
  • Children engaged in tasks measuring delay of gratification, motor impulsivity, and inhibitory control.

Main Results:

  • A positive correlation was observed between motor impulsivity and body weight in girls.
  • Parental monitoring was found to moderate the association between impulsivity and food approach behaviors.
  • This suggests that monitoring may serve as a protective factor against problematic eating behaviors in impulsive children.

Conclusions:

  • Motor impulsivity is a significant factor associated with body weight in young children.
  • Parental feeding styles, particularly monitoring, can influence the impact of impulsivity on children's eating behaviors and potentially mitigate weight gain.
Abstract

Keywords:
BMI z-scoreseating behaviourimpulsivityparental monitoring

More Related Videos

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System04:48

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

11.7K
Concept Development and Use of an Automated Food Intake and Eating Behavior Assessment Method06:21

Concept Development and Use of an Automated Food Intake and Eating Behavior Assessment Method

Published on: February 19, 2021

6.5K

Related Concept Videos

Self-Regulation01:25

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
309
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.  
19.0K
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
707
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
3.1K
Protecting Self-Esteem01:27

Protecting Self-Esteem

Self-esteem, a central component of psychological well-being, is actively maintained through various cognitive and behavioral strategies. Individuals employ specific mechanisms to preserve a positive self-concept and mitigate threats to their self-worth, particularly in contexts involving social evaluation or personal feedback. Four primary techniques are commonly used to sustain self-esteem.Manipulating AppraisalsOne prominent strategy involves manipulating appraisals from others. Individuals...
270
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
963