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Association Between Maternal Feeding Practices and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among 6-Year-Old Children

Shannon Flahive1, Bhakti Chavan2, Zelalem T Haile2

  • 1Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Dublin, OH, USA.

Clinical Medicine Insights. Pediatrics
|April 9, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal feeding practices influence children's emotional well-being. Restrictive practices like limiting sweets were linked to lower depression symptoms, while encouraging overeating or finishing all food was associated with higher anxiety and depression risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Child Psychology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Maternal feeding practices (MFPs) are associated with childhood obesity and eating disorders.
  • Limited research exists on the link between MFPs and children's emotional well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal feeding practices and symptoms of depression and anxiety in children.
  • To examine population-based data on MFPs and child emotional health.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 1241 participants from the Year 6 Follow-Up of the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (US, 2012).
  • Statistical adjustment for potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of anxiety (57.5%) and depression (47.8%) symptoms in children.
  • Mothers regulating eating or encouraging children to eat all food on their plate were associated with increased odds of child anxiety/depression.
  • Mothers restricting sweets/junk food intake were associated with lower odds of child depression symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Controlling maternal feeding practices may impact a child's emotional well-being.
  • Further research is necessary to understand the complex relationship between MFPs and psychosocial well-being in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
Infant Feeding Practices Study IIMaternal feeding practicesYear 6 Follow-Upsymptoms of anxietysymptoms of depression

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