The influence of mother-child interactions on preschoolers\u27 eating and weight.

The investigation of maternal and child factors influencing the socialization of children’s eating and weight, including the validation of an observational coding system for assessing dyadic mother-child feeding interactions, revealed a range of shared maternal and child mealtime behaviors potentially associated with preschoolers’ willingness to accept parent’s healthful feeding guidance

The ongoing impact of colonisation on childhood obesity prevention : a First Nations’ perspective

As researchers (HS, HB, AC) whose work focuses on ensuring that the voices of those most affected by the research are central to co-designed solutions, we are in the privileged position of capturing the stories of lived experience behind the data. In this perspective, a story of lived experience illustrates the need to reframe the childhood obesity prevention narrative towards a more equitable approach that ensures strategies reach the most socially disadvantaged populations. Here we come together to share Louisa Whettam's story, which captures common themes depicting drivers of disparities in obesity prevalence among First Peoples of Australia. We thank Louisa for sharing her personal story in this perspective piece as part of highlighting First Nations’ perspective in relation to the ongoing impact of colonisation on childhood obesity prevention

Nurturing children's development through healthy eating and active living: Time for policies to support effective interventions in the context of responsive emotional support and early learning

Fostering the growth, development, health, and wellbeing of children is a global priority. The early childhood period presents a critical window to influence lifelong trajectories, however urgent multisectoral action is needed to ensure that families are adequately supported to nurture their children's growth and development. With a shared vision to give every child the best start in life, thus helping them reach their full developmental potential, we have formed the International Healthy Eating Active Living Matters (HEALing Matters) Alliance. Together, we form a global network of academics and practitioners working across child health and development, and who are dedicated to improving health equity for children and their families. Our goal is to ensure that all families are free from structural inequality and oppression and are empowered to nurture their children's growth and development through healthy eating and physical activity within the context of responsive emotional support, safety and security, and opportunities for early learning. To date, there have been disparate approaches to promoting these objectives across the health, community service, and education sectors. The crucial importance of our collective work is to bring these priorities for early childhood together through multisectoral interventions, and in so doing tackle head on siloed approaches. In this Policy paper, we draw upon extensive research and call for collective action to promote equity and foster positive developmental trajectories for all children. We call for the delivery of evidence-based programs, policies, and services that are co-designed to meet the needs of all children and families and address structural and systemic inequalities. Moving beyond the “what” is needed to foster the best start to life for all children, we provide recommendations of “how” we can do this. Such collective impact will facilitate intergenerational progression that builds human capital in future generations. © 2022 The Authors. Health and Social Care in the Community published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Childhood obesity prevention in general practice : supporting implementation through co-ideation

Background Childhood obesity is associated with physical and psychological complications thus the prevention of excess weight gain in childhood is an important health goal. Relevant to the prevention of childhood obesity, Australian general practice-specific, preventive care guidelines recommend General Practitioners (GPs) conduct growth monitoring and promote a number of healthy behaviours. However, challenges to providing preventive care in general practice may impact implementation. In October and November, 2022, a series of three workshops focusing on the prevention of childhood obesity were held with a group of Australian GPs and academics. The objective of the workshops was to determine practical ways that GPs can be supported to address barriers to the incorporation of obesity-related prevention activities into their clinical practice, for children with a healthy weight. Methods This paper describes workshop proceedings, specifically the outcomes of co-ideation activities that included idea generation, expansion of the ideas to possible interventions, and the preliminary assessment of these concepts. The ecological levels of the individual, interpersonal, and organisation were considered. Results Possible opportunities to support childhood obesity prevention were identified at multiple ecological levels within the clinic. The preliminary list of proposed interventions to facilitate action included GP education and training, clinical audit facilitation, readily accessible clinical guidelines with linked resources, a repository of resources, and provision of adequate growth monitoring tools in general practice. Conclusions Co-ideation with GPs resulted in a number of proposed interventions, informed by day-to-day practicalities, to support both guideline implementation and childhood obesity prevention in general practice

Commentary: Obesity and Weight Gain in Pregnancy and Postpartum: an Evidence Review of Lifestyle Interventions to Inform Maternal and Child Health Policies

We read with interest the recent review published in Frontiers in Endocrinology that was focused on obesity and weight gain in pregnancy and postpartum. The review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, investigating the effects of lifestyle interventions on gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR), provides evidence showing that lifestyle interventions can reduce excess weight gain and associated risk factors. We agree unconditionally that the burden of maternal and childhood obesity needs to be reduced urgently.Funding for this research has been provided from the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)

How are health, nutrition, and physical activity discussed in international guidelines and standards for children in care? A narrative review

Background Children in care (CiC) have often experienced trauma and, as a result, are at high risk for poor health outcomes. It is imperative that human-service stakeholders provide trauma-informed health services and interventions. However, little is known about how health promotion is addressed in the standards and guidelines for CiC. For this scoping review, the aim was to examine and compare how nutrition and physical activity are discussed in: 1) federal standards for CiC across the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia; and 2) state and territory guidance in Australia. Method The grey literature was searched for documents outlining key child-welfare standards, guidelines, or policies for the provision of care across foster, kinship, or residential care. Documents were examined for the inclusion of recommendations and/or strategies focused on primary health and the promotion of nutrition and/or physical activity. Results A total of 52 documents were included in this review: 28 outlining international federal guidance and 24 Australian documents. In the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, references to physical activity were often broad, with minimal direction, and nutrition was often neglected; the United Kingdom provided more detailed guidance to promote nutrition and physical activity among CiC. Conclusion There is a lack of consistency and specificity in guidelines supporting healthy lifestyle interventions for CiC both internationally and within Australia. It is recommended that 1) specific trauma-informed health promotion guidelines are developed for CiC; and 2) trauma-informed health promotion training is provided to carers. Doing so will ensure that care is provided in a manner in which stakeholders recognize the signs and consequences of trauma in order to determine the most appropriate health interventions to improve outcomes and prevent ongoing trauma for this population

Social and emotional development in early childhood

Chapter 8 discusses evidence about children’s social and emotional development from health and psychology research in relation to early childhood practice. The authors maintain that early childhood is a critical window for children’s social and emotional development and a time where children learn about social cues and use prosocial behaviours to develop positive relationships with peers and adults. Risk and protective factors for children’s social and emotional development are presented along with an argument about the importance of the educator’s role.https://research.acer.edu.au/strong-foundations/1007/thumbnail.jp

Reported and observed controlling feeding practices predict child eating behavior after 12 months

BACKGROUND: Controlling feeding practices are linked to children\u27s self-regulatory eating practices and weight status. Maternal reports of controlling feeding practices are not always significantly related to independently rated mealtime observations. However, prior studies only assessed 1 mealtime observation, which may not be representative of typical mealtime settings or routines. OBJECTIVES: The first aim was to examine associations between reported and observed maternal pressure to eat and restriction feeding practices at baseline (T1) and after ∼12 mo (T2). The second aim was to evaluate relations between maternal and child factors [e.g., concern about child weight, child temperament, child body mass index (BMI)-for-age z scores (BMIz)] at T1 and reported and observed maternal pressure to eat and restriction feeding practices (T1 and T2). The third aim was to assess prospective associations between maternal feeding practices (T1) and child eating behaviors (T2) and child BMIz (T2). METHODS: A sample of 79 mother-child dyads in Victoria, Australia, participated in 2 lunchtime home observations (T1 and T2). BMI measures were collected during the visits. Child temperament, child eating behaviors, maternal parenting styles, and maternal feeding practices were evaluated at T1 and T2 via questionnaires. Associations were assessed with Pearson\u27s correlation coefficients, paired t tests, and hierarchical regressions. RESULTS: Reported restriction (T1) was inversely associated with observed restriction at T1 (r = -0.24, P < 0.05). Reported pressure to eat (T2) was associated with observed pressure to eat (T2) (r = 0.48, P < 0.01) but only for mothers of girls. Maternal weight concern was associated with reported restriction at T1 (r = 0.29, P < 0.01) and T2 (r = 0.36, P < 0.01), whereas observed restriction (T1) was prospectively associated child BMI at T2 (β = -0.18, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal reports may not always reflect feeding practices performed during mealtimes; it is possible some mothers may not be aware of their practices or observations may not capture covert controlling strategies