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Current Nutrition Reports
Published in: Current Nutrition Reports 4/2018

01-12-2018 | Maternal and Childhood Nutrition (AC Wood, Section Editor)

Maternal Predictors of Child Dietary Behaviors and Weight Status

Authors: Sheryl O. Hughes, Maria A. Papaioannou

Published in: Current Nutrition Reports | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To provide scientific evidence showing links between parenting/feeding, child eating, and weight status and recommend best practices for creating a feeding environment protective against childhood obesity.

Recent Findings

Current research shows that authoritative styles in both feeding and general parenting contexts has been consistently associated with better child health outcomes. Authoritative feeding styles have been associated with better child dietary quality and weight. Indulgent feeding styles have been associated with problematic child eating behaviors and higher weight. Authoritative general parenting styles have predicted healthier child weight status overtime.

Summary

Highly controlling feeding behaviors in the form of parental styles or practices hinder development of healthy eating in children. It is more productive to study styles of feeding as opposed to practices as feeding styles show less variability in predicting child health outcomes. Areas that warrant further research are identified and recommendations of beneficial feeding behaviors are provided.
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Metadata
Title
Maternal Predictors of Child Dietary Behaviors and Weight Status
Authors
Sheryl O. Hughes
Maria A. Papaioannou
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Nutrition Reports / Issue 4/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2161-3311
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-018-0250-1

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