The relationship between controlling feeding practices and boys' and girls' eating in the absence of hunger

• Published in: Eating behaviors : an international journal 2014-12, Vol.15 (4), p.519-522
• Main Authors: Harris, Holly, Mallan, Kimberley M., Nambiar, Smita, Daniels, Lynne A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child eating behavior; Child, Preschool; Controlling feeding practices; Eating - psychology; Eating in the absence of hunger; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior - psychology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hunger; Illness and personality; Male; Mother-Child Relations; Personality, behavior and health; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Self-regulation; Sex Factors; Snacks
• ISSN: 1471-0153; 1873-7358
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2014.07.003

Parental controlling feeding practices have been directly associated with maladaptive child eating behaviors, such as eating in the absence of hunger (EAH). The aims of this study were to examine EAH in very young children (3–4years old) and to investigate the association between maternal controlling feeding practices and energy intake from a standardized selection of snacks consumed ‘in the absence of hunger’. Thirty-seven mother–child dyads enrolled in the NOURISH RCT participated in a modified EAH protocol conducted in the child's home. All children displayed EAH, despite 80% reporting to be full or very full following completion of lunch 15min earlier. The relationships between maternal and child covariates and controlling feeding practices and EAH were examined using non-parametric tests, and were stratified by child gender. For boys only, pressure to eat was positively associated with EAH. Neither restriction nor monitoring practices were associated with EAH in either boys or girls. Overall, the present findings suggest that gender differences in the relationship between maternal feeding practices and children's eating behaviors emerge early and should be considered in future research and intervention design. •An eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) protocol was conducted with 3–4year olds.•All participants (N=37) showed EAH when presented with snack foods.•Pressure to eat by mothers was associated with greater EAH in boys, not girls.•Restriction and monitoring practices by mothers were not associated with EAH.