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Published on: May 8, 2018
Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations Among Temperament, Parental Feeding Styles, and Selective Eating in a
Katherine M Kidwell1, Chelsea Kozikowski1, Taylor Roth1
1Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Insights
Children with negative temperaments are more likely to be selective eaters and experience specific feeding styles. These findings highlight the link between early temperament and eating behaviors, informing interventions for better child health.
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Developmental science
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Preschool eating behaviors have long-term implications for children's health.
- Understanding the interplay between temperament and eating habits is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations among negative/reactive temperament, feeding styles, and selective eating in preschoolers.
- To explore how child temperament influences eating behaviors over a 6-month period.
Main Methods:
- Recruited a community sample of 297 preschoolers (aged 3-5 years).
- Parents completed validated measures of child temperament and feeding styles at two time points, 6 months apart.
Main Results:
- Children with temperaments high in negative affectivity were significantly more likely to experience instrumental and emotional feeding styles.
- Higher negative affectivity was also associated with a greater likelihood of selective eating.
- These associations remained significant when examined concurrently and after a 6-month interval.
Conclusions:
- This study offers a novel examination of the relationship between child temperament and eating behaviors.
- Findings suggest negative affectivity is linked to specific feeding styles and selective eating, informing potential interventions.
- Understanding these links can help improve child health outcomes through targeted support.
Objective:
To examine the associations among negative/reactive temperament, feeding styles, and selective eating in a sample of preschoolers because preschool eating behaviors likely have lasting implications for children's health.
Methods:
A community sample of preschoolers aged 3-5 years (M = 4.49 years, 49.5% female, 75.7% European American) in the Midwest of the United States was recruited to participate in the study (N = 297). Parents completed measures of temperament and feeding styles at two time points 6 months apart.
Results:
A series of regressions indicated that children who had temperaments high in negative affectivity were significantly more likely to experience instrumental and emotional feeding styles. They were also significantly more likely to be selective eaters. These associations were present when examined both concurrently and after 6 months.
Conclusions:
This study provides a novel investigation of child temperament and eating behaviors, allowing for a better understanding of how negative affectivity is associated with instrumental feeding, emotional feeding, and selective eating. These results inform interventions to improve child health.
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