Differential associations between overt and covert restrictive feeding practices and children's eating behaviours and...

There is debate over whether restricting children's access to 'unhealthy' foods is a harmful feeding practice. Overt restriction, which children can detect, is theorised to increase desirability of restricted foods and undermine children's ability to self-regulate their eating behaviour. Conversely, covert restriction, which children cannot detect, may be a protective feeding practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal overt and covert restrictive feeding and children's maladaptive eating behaviours (Study 1) and dietary intake (Study 2). Mothers of children 2-12 years (Study 1: N = 214, Study 2: N = 1299) completed an online survey measuring overt and covert restriction, child eating behaviours (Study 1) and child intake of fruits/vegetables and non-core (energy-dense, nutrient-poor) foods (Study 2). Overt restriction was positively associated with food responsiveness and desire for drinks and covert restriction was not associated with eating behaviours (Study 1). Overt restriction was associated with lower fruit/vegetable intake and higher intake of non-core foods and covert restriction was associated with lower non-core foods intake only (Study 2). Overt restriction may be a problematic feeding practice associated with poorer eating behaviours and diet. Conversely, covert restriction is unrelated to maladaptive eating behaviours and may benefit children's diet in terms of lower intake of unhealthy foods.