Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

4.6K

Characteristics of eating behavior profiles among preschoolers with low-income backgrounds: a person-centered

Jennifer Orlet Fisher1, Sheryl O Hughes2, Alison L Miller3

  • 1Center for Obesity Research and Education, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. jofisher@temple.edu.

The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
|July 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Young children exhibit distinct eating behavior profiles, including high food approach, high food avoidance, and moderate eating patterns. These profiles are linked to temperament and weight status, suggesting tailored interventions may be beneficial.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Individual eating behavior differences in young children are known.
  • Distinct eating behavior profiles within individuals are not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify eating behavior profiles in preschool-aged children.
  • Examine associations between these profiles, temperament, and weight status.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of 1004 children aged 3-4 years from 2 cohort studies.
  • Parental reports assessed children's eating behaviors and temperament.
  • Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified profiles; bivariate analyses examined associations with temperament and weight (BMI z-scores).

Main Results:

  • Three eating behavior profiles emerged: High Food Approach (21.2%), High Food Avoidant (35.6%), and Moderate Eating (43.2%).
  • High Food Approach linked to lower inhibitory control and higher obesity rates.
  • High Food Avoidant linked to lower impulsivity and lower BMI z-scores; Moderate Eating linked to higher inhibitory control and lower anger/frustration.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood eating behaviors form distinct profiles associated with temperament and weight.
  • Future research should explore tailoring health promotion and obesity prevention to these eating dispositions.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenEating behaviorFood approachFood avoidanceObesityTemperament

More Related Videos

A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity04:23

A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity

Published on: August 21, 2015

11.6K
Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors04:56

Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors

Published on: January 25, 2018

8.1K

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern01:29

Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern

Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
160
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...
164
Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
183
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...
188
Self-Schemas02:16

Self-Schemas

In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
32.0K
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...
336