Higher weight status of only and last-born children. Maternal feeding and child eating behaviors as underlying processes among 4–8 year olds

Abstract

Birth order has been associated with childhood obesity. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine maternal feeding and child eating behaviors as underlying processes for increased weight status of only children and youngest siblings. Participants included 274 low-income 4-8 year old children and their mothers. The dyads completed a videotaped laboratory mealtime observation. Mothers completed the Caregiver's Feeding Styles Questionnaire and the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Child weight and height were measured using standardized procedures. Path analysis was used to examine associations of birth order, maternal feeding behaviors, child eating behavior, and child overweight/obese status. The association between only child status and greater likelihood of overweight/obesity was fully mediated by higher maternal Verbal Discouragement to eat and lower maternal Praise (all p values < 0.05). The association between youngest sibling status and greater likelihood of overweight/obesity was partially mediated by lower maternal Praise and lower child Food Fussiness (all p values < 0.05). Results provide support for our hypothesis that maternal control and support and child food acceptance are underlying pathways for the association between birth order and weight status. Future findings can help inform family-based programs by guiding family counseling and tailoring of recommendations for family mealtime interactions.

Childhood Obesity and Quality of Meals: The Saudi School Meal and Home Meal Study SSMHMS – A Cross Sectional Study

“…In addition, Mosli et al, 2015 have proved that siblings have an impact on the last born child's health and nutrition, where a positive association with overweight and obesity was seen. Similar to that result, a strong positive association was also seen with the only child [48]. Future work must be directed towards involving the whole family, in relation to childhood obesity and nutrition.…”

Association of Picky Eating and Food Neophobia with Weight: A Systematic Review

“…Of the 41 studies reviewed, 17 found no association between picky eating or food neophobia and weight sta-tus 16,17,19,20,25,26,30,34,36,[40][41][42]45,[47][48][49]51 ; 2 found that picky eating or food neophobia had a positive association with overweight 13,39 ; 5 found a negative association with overweight or obesity 27,28,32,46,53 ; 6 found a positive association with underweight 11,12,21,31,35,50 ; and 11 found a decreased association with BMI or BMI z-score (but did not specify if underweight or decreased risk of overweight) 18,[22][23][24]29,33,37,38,43,44,52 (Table 2). These results are depicted in Figure 2.…”

The Impact of Having One Parent Absent on Children’ Food Consumption and Nutrition in China

“…Moreover, previous literature already showed that China was undergoing a rapid nutrition transition in the past decades. The traditional Chinese diet, which is high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, had been gradually replaced by a refined food and Western food diet, which is high in fat, saturated fat, and sugar [11,[21][22][23]. As a result, the food accessibility and dietary diversity had been significantly improved in China.…”