The Effects Of Feeding Styles On Eating Behavior And BMI Of Children Aged 2 To 7

Objective: To investigate the effect of different parental feeding styles on children's eating behavior and body mass index of children aged 2 to 7?Methods:112 healthy children aged 2 to 7 were recruited in this study.Questionnaire was used to collect the information of parental feeding styles(Child Feeding Questionnaire,Caregiver Feeding Styles Questionnaire)and child eating behaviors(IMFeD Tool).Height and weight for each child were also measured and BMI-Z score was calculated.chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between different feeding styles and eating behaviors,single factor variance analysis or T test was used to analyze the effect of parental feeding styles,child eating behavior and general situation on children's BMI.Results:(1)Indulgent style(32.1%)and authoritarian style(30.2%)were more obvious among parental feeding styles,the relatively common eating behavior problems were poor appetite(71.1%),selective intake(46.4%),poor eating habits(45.4 %);(2)Authoritative style seemed to have no associations with child eating behavior problems(P>0.05);(3)uninvolved style was positively associated with poor appetite(P=0.010),indulgent style was positively associated with selective intake(P=0.036),poor eating appetite(P=0.002),patental excessive care(P=0.044).the authoritarian style was negatively associated with selective intake(P = 0.000),poor eating appetite(P = 0.037),patental excessive care(P = 0.002),scare of eating(P = 0.028);(4)uninvolved style was associated with highest BMI level(P=0.023),authoritarian style was associated with lowest BMI level(P=0.035),selective intake was also associated with lower BMI(P=0.019)?Conclusion:(1)The caregiver feeding questionnaire is more suitable inclinic,which is convenient for application and understanding,but it needs to further evaluate its reliability and validity.(2)Authoritarian and indulgent styles are the most common feeding styles for parents.83.5% children seems to have eating behavioral problems reported by their parents,especially poor eating appetite,selective intake,poor eating habits.(3)Authoritative style seems to have no associations with child eating behavior problems.(4)Uninvolved style leads to higher BMI in children,while authoritarian style will result in a lower BMI by influencing selective intake eating behavior.