Caregiver Influences on Eating Behaviors in Children: An Opportunity for Preventing Obesity

AbstractPurpose of reviewThis review seeks to define caregiver practices that impact childhood eating behaviors and identify ways to utilize these relationships to prevent childhood obesity.Recent FindingsChildhood obesity, which correlates with adult obesity and increased cardiovascular risk, is increasing in prevalence and severity. Caregivers play a significant role in shaping a child's eating behaviors and their predisposition to obesity. Maternal influences during pregnancy and infancy impact a child's future food preferences. Caregiver feeding styles (authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent, and uninvolved) are associated with distinct effects on children's eating behaviors and self-regulation. Authoritative feeding styles promote child autonomy while setting boundaries in the feeding environment. Early caregiver education and coaching regarding nutrition and feeding practices is beneficial to establishing healthy eating behaviors for children.  Various caregivers, including parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, and others, influence a child's eating habits at different stages of development. These caregivers can both positively and negatively impact a child's diet. Comprehensive interventions involving these various caregivers to pr omote healthy eating practices in children is ideal. Such interventions should be sensitive to cultural and environmental factors.SummaryChildhood obesity is a complex issue with long-term health effects. Early intervention using comp...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research