Poster #151 - The Influence of Child Attachment Security on the Relationship between Feeding Responsiveness and Picky Eating Behavior

• In Event: 1-115 - Poster Session 03
  In Poster Session: PS 03 Section - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Integrative Statement

Introduction. Picky eating behavior is common in early childhood, but it is also a risk factor for behavioral problems and parental and child stress surrounding feeding (Cardona Cano et al., 2015). Picky eaters are unwilling to try new foods and have strong opinions about food preferences, preparation, and food groups (Shim et al., 2011). Picky eating may be influenced by parental feeding behaviors and the parent-child relationship. For example, parents who are high on feeding responsiveness tend to give prompt and supportive responses to their children’s hunger and satiety cues, which may make it easier for children to feel safe while trying new foods (Black & Aboud, 2011). Children with secure attachments have caregivers who are responsive to their emotional bids, which may also influence children’s openness to new experiences (Bowlby, 1982). However, no studies have examined associations between parental feeding responsiveness, child attachment, and picky eating. The purpose of this study was: (1) to examine associations between child attachment, parental feeding responsiveness, and child picky eating behavior at 18 – 24 months of age and (2) to determine if child attachment security moderates the association between feeding responsiveness and child picky eating. We hypothesized that responsive feeding and child attachment would be associated with picky eating, and that having a secure attachment would buffer children from effects of lower feeding responsiveness on picky eating.
Methods. The analysis sample consisted of 92 families participating in the larger Strong Kids 2 (SK2) longitudinal study of nutrition and child health. Home observations were conducted when children were 18-24 months (52% females) to assess child attachment security (Posada scales, 2008) and videotape family mealtimes (Table 1). Parental feeding responsiveness was coded from the videotapes. Mothers also completed the Caregiver Feeding Styles Questionnaire to measure feeding responsiveness (CFSQ; Hughes et al., 2005). Child picky eating was assessed using two measures: (1) maternal self-report (Food Fussiness subscale of the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire; CEBQ; Wardle et al., 2001), and (2) a single dichotomous question, “Is your child a picky eater?”. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between feeding responsiveness and attachment with the latter measure of child picky eating, and multiple regression analyses with the former.
Results. Logistic regressions revealed that maternal self-reported feeding responsiveness (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = [0.29, 0.79] and observed child attachment security (Smoothness of Interaction; OR = 0.60, 95% CI = [0.37, 0.94]) were associated with maternal perceptions of child picky eating status. Multiple regression analysis revealed the same associations with Food Fussiness scores from the CEBQ (Table 2). There was no significant association between observed feeding responsiveness and picky eating, and no interaction effects were found.
Conclusions. These findings suggest that during early childhood, parent feeding responsiveness and child attachment may impact children’s picky eating behavior. Future longitudinal studies that include multi-method approaches are needed to shed light on these associations over time. Discussion will focus on the integration of developmental and feeding literature and strategies to reduce picky eating behavior by considering interpersonal and relationship factors.

Authors

• Samantha Iwinski, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  Presenting Author

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

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

• Sharon M Donovan, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  Non-Presenting Author

• Natasha Chong Cole, Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Nutrition Research Center
  Non-Presenting Author