Abstract
Eating problems are highly prevalent and seem to show continuity in children. Nevertheless, the effect of different maternal
and paternal feeding practices on changes in these problems is not fully understood yet. This study examines short-term continuity
in primary school children’s overeating, loss of control (over eating), restraint and concerns (about eating, body shape and
weight) and the predictive value of parental feeding strategies on change in these eating problems. Children (8–12 years,
n = 613, 46.5 % girls) completed the Child Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (ChEDE-Q) twice with the second measurement
(T2) taking place 6 months after the first (T1). Parents (n = 714, 57.7 % mothers) completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire
(CFQ) at T1 to assess the level of controlling feeding strategies. More overeating, restraint and concerns at T1 predicted
higher levels of the same eating problems 6 months later, whereas more of loss of control at T1 predicted lower levels of
loss of control 6 months later. Additionally, the interaction between maternal pressure and the gender of the child was predictive
for increases in overeating, whereas the interaction between paternal monitoring and gender of the child was a marginally
significant predictor for decreases in overeating. These findings point to the possible negative and positive effects of parental
feeding practices as well as to the possible larger influence of mothers on their daughters’ and of fathers on their sons’
eating behaviors. The importance of studying mothers and fathers, as well as daughters and sons, and of including different
feeding strategies and eating problems is discussed.
and paternal feeding practices on changes in these problems is not fully understood yet. This study examines short-term continuity
in primary school children’s overeating, loss of control (over eating), restraint and concerns (about eating, body shape and
weight) and the predictive value of parental feeding strategies on change in these eating problems. Children (8–12 years,
n = 613, 46.5 % girls) completed the Child Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (ChEDE-Q) twice with the second measurement
(T2) taking place 6 months after the first (T1). Parents (n = 714, 57.7 % mothers) completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire
(CFQ) at T1 to assess the level of controlling feeding strategies. More overeating, restraint and concerns at T1 predicted
higher levels of the same eating problems 6 months later, whereas more of loss of control at T1 predicted lower levels of
loss of control 6 months later. Additionally, the interaction between maternal pressure and the gender of the child was predictive
for increases in overeating, whereas the interaction between paternal monitoring and gender of the child was a marginally
significant predictor for decreases in overeating. These findings point to the possible negative and positive effects of parental
feeding practices as well as to the possible larger influence of mothers on their daughters’ and of fathers on their sons’
eating behaviors. The importance of studying mothers and fathers, as well as daughters and sons, and of including different
feeding strategies and eating problems is discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Empirical Research
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-012-9794-3
- Authors
- Annelies Matton, Department of Developmental-, Personality- and Social Psychology, University of Ghent, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Lien Goossens, Department of Developmental-, Personality- and Social Psychology, University of Ghent, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Caroline Braet, Department of Developmental-, Personality- and Social Psychology, University of Ghent, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Kim Van Durme, Department of Developmental-, Personality- and Social Psychology, University of Ghent, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891