The Effects of Family Factors, Maternal Attachment, and Responsiveness on Child Appetite Self-Regulation

• In Event: 2-135 - The Role of Parenting and Emotion in Pediatric Obesity Risk

Integrative Statement

Introduction: Appetite self-regulation is associated with general self-regulation, and both are linked to healthier weight in early childhood. Development of general self-regulation depends on a positive parent-child relationship, which in turn is embedded within the family and its associated organizational processes (e.g., chaos, routines). Family factors influence child general self-regulation as a function of the parent-child relationship, but it is unclear whether etiological processes for general self-regulation are also at play for appetite self-regulation. The current study aims to examine independent and interactive associations between family factors, attachment, emotional responsiveness, and appetite self-regulation in early childhood.

Method: A sample of (n = 110) families of 18-24 month-olds were recruited for 3-hour home visits, as part of the larger longitudinal STRONG Kids 2 Study (N = 451). Videotapes of family mealtimes were collected during home visits, and were coded for observed maternal emotional responsiveness. Mothers completed questionnaires assessing self-reported maternal emotional responsiveness, family dinnertime routines, household chaos, maternal attachment insecurity, and child appetite self-regulation when children were 12, 18, and 24 months old. Moderation analyses assessed independent and interactive effects on child appetite self-regulation.

Results: Family factors (high chaos, few routines) were consistently independently associated with more child appetite dysregulation, controlling for parent age, household income, and child temperament (effortful control, Table 1). In regards to moderation analyses, household chaos was associated with appetite dysregulation only among children of mothers who reported low levels of emotional responsiveness (-1SD, Figure 1). There was no association between chaos and appetite dysregulation among children of mothers who engaged in high levels of self-reported emotional responsiveness.

Discussion: Family factors play an important role in promoting child appetite dysregulation. This study provides novel evidence that these effects can be attenuated or exacerbated by parenting, specifically, by maternal emotional responsiveness. However, questions remain in regards to differences between self-reported and observed emotional responsiveness in effects on child appetite self-regulation. The current study provides a window into the ways that socioemotional processes may influence child health.

Authors

• Jaclyn A. Saltzman, Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health and Massachusetts General Hospital for Children
  Presenting Author

• Kelly K. Bost, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Non-Presenting Author

• Brent McBride, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign
  Non-Presenting Author

• Barbara Fiese, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Non-Presenting Author