Variability in feeding practices by parent and eating occasion: A cluster analysis approach

Area of Science:

• Child Nutrition
• Parenting Studies
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Parents of young children employ diverse food parenting practices daily.
• Previous assumptions of a single parental feeding approach are challenged.
• Understanding these practices is crucial for child development and dietary habits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct clusters of food parenting approaches.
• To examine how parents vary feeding strategies across different eating occasions.
• To explore the contextual responsiveness of food parenting.

Main Methods:

• Cluster analysis of food parenting practices reported by 252 parents.
• Data collected across 6281 eating occasions with preschoolers (aged 3-5).
• Practices categorized into structure, autonomy support, coercive control, and indulgent domains.

Main Results:

• Four distinct parent-level clusters emerged, based on practice engagement and type.
• Four distinct eating occasion-level approaches were identified.
• Parents demonstrated significant variability in feeding strategies across meals and days.

Conclusions:

• Most parents utilize a wide range of practices but can be clustered by type and quantity.
• Eating occasion-level approaches are distinct and influenced by engagement and specific practices.
• Parental feeding is context-responsive, shifting across eating occasions over time.