Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Factors Influencing Children's Eating Behaviours
Silvia Scaglioni1, Valentina De Cosmi2,3, Valentina Ciappolino4
1Fondazione De Marchi-Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy. sscaglioni50@gmail.com.
Nutrients
|June 3, 2018
Summary
Parental food habits and feeding strategies significantly shape children's eating behaviors and preferences. Early exposure to diverse tastes and parental role-modeling are key for fostering lifelong healthy eating habits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Childhood eating behaviors are influenced by various factors.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for pediatricians to manage nutrition and prevent eating disorders.
- Family environment plays a significant role in establishing lifelong eating patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine factors influencing children's food preferences and eating behaviors.
- To provide pediatricians with tools to understand and manage pediatric nutrition.
- To highlight the importance of early-life experiences and parental influence on child eating habits.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of electronic databases was conducted.
- Studies published in English focusing on factors influencing children's feeding behaviors were identified and appraised.
- The review synthesized findings on the determinants of children's food choices.
Main Results:
- Parental food habits and feeding strategies are the most dominant factors influencing a child's eating behavior and food choices.
- Early exposure to a variety of tastes and flavors promotes healthy eating later in life.
- The family system is instrumental in establishing eating behaviors that persist throughout life.
Conclusions:
- Parental role-modeling and exposure to healthy food options are critical for developing positive eating behaviors in children.
- Prevention programs should target parents, considering socioeconomic and educational factors.
- Interventions should focus on empowering parents to guide their children toward healthy dietary choices.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Nature and Nurture
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
01:30Bulimia 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...
01:23Binge 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...
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...