Predictors and correlates of eating in the absence of hunger at age 12 months

Behaviors observable during the eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) protocol may be useful early indicators of an emerging avid eating phenotype, but have not been examined in infancy. This study videotaped infants being offered desserts (e.g., cakes, donuts) after a meal, measured intake, and coded observed behaviors (variety, eating duration, rate, latency, and engagement, bite size, positive affect before and after tasting, latency to negative affect, and negative affect and resistance when dessert was taken away), which were scored to generate a 12-point eating avidity index (EAI). Sociodemographics, eating behaviors (Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire-Toddler (CEBQ-T) subscales and food-related tantrums), and dietary sweets intake were reported and anthropometrics measured. Multiple linear regression was used to predict intake and EAI from covariates. Infants (n = 118) ate M = 86.6 kcals in M = 5.55min after a latency of M = 0.63min; 28 % displayed positive affect before tasting and 73 % after, and 13 % displayed negative affect when dessert was taken away. Intake was positively associated with variety, eating duration, rate, and engagement, and bite size. Intake and avidity for eating dessert were predicted by CEBQ-T enjoyment of food and dietary sweets intake, but not by sociodemographics or adiposity. Intake was predicted by food-related tantrums. During the EAH protocol, many infants demonstrated multiple behaviors reflecting an eating style high in food approach, and many of these behaviors, with the exception of affect, correlated with intake and one another and may reflect an emerging avid eating phenotype. Identifying the etiology and moderators of this avid eating phenotype would inform prevention efforts.