Family chaos, attachment security, and responsiveness: Associations with appetite self-regulation in early childhood

Until recently, the majority of studies examining the etiology of excessive early childhood weight gain have focused on correlates or risk factors related to nutrition and physical activity (Woo Baidal et al., 2016). However, several promising areas for future research on obesity prevention have been identified, particularly in regards to child emotional and behavioral regulation (Lumeng, Taveras, Birch, & Yanovski, 2015), parent-child attachment relationships (Frankel et al., 2012), and the family context (Fiese & Bost, 2016; Woo Baidal et al., 2016). This is the first set of studies to examine how attachment and individual characteristics inform the development of appetite self-regulation, within the context of the family system. Study 1. The first study aimed to identify whether there are domain-specific or domain-general associations between feeding and emotional responsiveness, and appetite and non-appetitive self-regulation. Few studies have assessed whether appetite self-regulation is subsumed as an undifferentiated aspect of overall self-regulation, or if it is a distinct characteristic with variation unexplained by general behavioral self-regulation. Similarly, although theoretical literature posits that feeding responsiveness is one component of responsive parenting generally, no empirical studies have examined whether it is truly differentiated from emotional responsiveness in the mealtime context. Confirmatory factor analyses were applied to observational and self-report data collected from a subsample of families (n = 110) of 18-24 month old children in the larger STRONG Kids 2 (SK2) Birth Cohort Project (N = 451). Findings indicate that responsiveness is a domain-specific construct, but that appetite self-regulation may be one dimension of a higher-order domain-general construct of overall self-regulation. Appetite self-regulation was distinct, but highly related to children’s non-food related executive functioning. Feeding responsiveness was distinct from emotional responsiveness, and self-reported emotional responsiveness was distinct from emotional responsiveness observed during mealtimes. These findings highlight the importance of specificity in context and measurement. Study 2. The second study aimed to examine associations between maternal attachment, family factors (household chaos, distractions, family mealtime routines), and maternal responsiveness. Structural equation modeling techniques were applied to observational and self-report data collected from the subsample of families in the SK2 project (n = 110), to assess direct, indirect, and interactive effects of family and attachment factors on responsiveness. More household chaos was associated with less feeding and self-reported emotional responsiveness. More maternal mealtime distractions were associated with less observed emotional responsiveness. Regarding interactive effects, mothers who were more distracted at mealtimes and highly insecure engaged in less observed emotional responsiveness. However, more household chaos was associated with less self-reported emotional responsiveness only among very secure mothers; very high levels of attachment insecurity attenuated these effects. Study 3. The third study aimed to examine direct, indirect, and interactive associations between family factors, attachment, and appetite self-regulation in early childhood. Path analyses were applied to observational and self-report data collected from the subsample of families in the SK2 project (n = 110), to assess direct, indirect, and interactive effects of family factors, attachment, and responsiveness on child appetite self-regulation. Family factors (high chaos, few routines) were directly—but not indirectly via responsiveness—associated with child appetite dysregulation. Routines were associated with child appetite dysregulation among children of mothers who were highly insecure. Chaos was associated with appetite dysregulation among children of mothers who reported less emotional responsiveness. Family and attachment factors play an important role in promoting parent responsiveness and child appetite dysregulation. These studies provide a window into the ways that these processes may influence child health. Together, findings point to a need to consider the multifaceted nature of risk and resilience, and specificity in measurement and conceptualization for future studies. This study contributes nuance to the literature on self-regulation and responsiveness, and specificity to our understanding of how individual differences in appetite self-regulation develop in early childhood. The long-term aim of this program of research is to develop recommendations for interventions designed to prevent childhood obesity

Family chaos, attachment security, and responsiveness: Associations with appetite self-regulation in early childhood

Until recently, the majority of studies examining the etiology of excessive early childhood weight gain have focused on correlates or risk factors related to nutrition and physical activity (Woo Baidal et al., 2016). However, several promising areas for future research on obesity prevention have been identified, particularly in regards to child emotional and behavioral regulation (Lumeng, Taveras, Birch, & Yanovski, 2015), parent-child attachment relationships (Frankel et al., 2012), and the family context (Fiese & Bost, 2016; Woo Baidal et al., 2016). This is the first set of studies to examine how attachment and individual characteristics inform the development of appetite self-regulation, within the context of the family system. Study 1. The first study aimed to identify whether there are domain-specific or domain-general associations between feeding and emotional responsiveness, and appetite and non-appetitive self-regulation. Few studies have assessed whether appetite self-regulation is subsumed as an undifferentiated aspect of overall self-regulation, or if it is a distinct characteristic with variation unexplained by general behavioral self-regulation. Similarly, although theoretical literature posits that feeding responsiveness is one component of responsive parenting generally, no empirical studies have examined whether it is truly differentiated from emotional responsiveness in the mealtime context. Confirmatory factor analyses were applied to observational and self-report data collected from a subsample of families (n = 110) of 18-24 month old children in the larger STRONG Kids 2 (SK2) Birth Cohort Project (N = 451). Findings indicate that responsiveness is a domain-specific construct, but that appetite self-regulation may be one dimension of a higher-order domain-general construct of overall self-regulation. Appetite self-regulation was distinct, but highly related to children’s non-food related executive functioning. Feeding responsiveness was distinct from emotional responsiveness, and self-reported emotional responsiveness was distinct from emotional responsiveness observed during mealtimes. These findings highlight the importance of specificity in context and measurement. Study 2. The second study aimed to examine associations between maternal attachment, family factors (household chaos, distractions, family mealtime routines), and maternal responsiveness. Structural equation modeling techniques were applied to observational and self-report data collected from the subsample of families in the SK2 project (n = 110), to assess direct, indirect, and interactive effects of family and attachment factors on responsiveness. More household chaos was associated with less feeding and self-reported emotional responsiveness. More maternal mealtime distractions were associated with less observed emotional responsiveness. Regarding interactive effects, mothers who were more distracted at mealtimes and highly insecure engaged in less observed emotional responsiveness. However, more household chaos was associated with less self-reported emotional responsiveness only among very secure mothers; very high levels of attachment insecurity attenuated these effects. Study 3. The third study aimed to examine direct, indirect, and interactive associations between family factors, attachment, and appetite self-regulation in early childhood. Path analyses were applied to observational and self-report data collected from the subsample of families in the SK2 project (n = 110), to assess direct, indirect, and interactive effects of family factors, attachment, and responsiveness on child appetite self-regulation. Family factors (high chaos, few routines) were directly—but not indirectly via responsiveness—associated with child appetite dysregulation. Routines were associated with child appetite dysregulation among children of mothers who were highly insecure. Chaos was associated with appetite dysregulation among children of mothers who reported less emotional responsiveness. Family and attachment factors play an important role in promoting parent responsiveness and child appetite dysregulation. These studies provide a window into the ways that these processes may influence child health. Together, findings point to a need to consider the multifaceted nature of risk and resilience, and specificity in measurement and conceptualization for future studies. This study contributes nuance to the literature on self-regulation and responsiveness, and specificity to our understanding of how individual differences in appetite self-regulation develop in early childhood. The long-term aim of this program of research is to develop recommendations for interventions designed to prevent childhood obesity.U of I OnlyAuthor requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD syste

Mealtime emotional climate and child health: A systematic review

Background: Positive mealtime emotional climate (MEC) has been linked to better nutrition, psychosocial, literacy and academic outcomes, and fewer behavior problems. However, MEC has been defined in a variety of ways across studies, limiting the ability to synthesize findings and plan future research. Objective: To identify which child characteristics are associated with MEC and to determine how previous studies have measured MEC. Methods: We searched three databases (1980–2020) for peer-reviewed articles measuring MEC. Inclusion criteria required at least one child-level outcome related to physical, nutritional, or developmental health; children aged 0–18 years old; and quantitative data using cohort, case-control, intervention, or experimental designs. We used a previously published taxonomy to categorize child/adolescent characteristics as correlates, non-correlates, unclear, or as having insufficient evidence, according to the amount of evidence linking them to MEC. Additionally, we extracted data about the measures and definitions of MEC from each included article. Results: Out of 668 unique studies identified in the initial search after duplicates removed, 14 met inclusion criteria, and only three used the same measure of MEC. Healthful dietary intake, disordered eating behaviors, and weight/BMI were categorized as correlates of MEC, but links to unhealthy dietary intake are unclear. Several characteristics (e.g. temperament, academic success) were examined in one study only. Conclusions: Future research should examine the relationship between MEC and child psychosocial child outcomes and utilize a preschool age group. These findings aid in conceptualizing how MEC has been defined and measured and illuminate the importance of MEC on children\u27s health

Correlates of Children’s Dietary Intake in Childcare Settings: A Systematic Review

Context: Children consume up to two-thirds of their daily dietary requirements in full-time childcare, making the setting a critical vector for preventing childhood obesity. Objective: To summarize the ecological correlates of children’s dietary intake in childcare settings that were identified and categorized using the Six-Cs developmental ecological model of contributors to overweight and obesity in childhood. Data Sources: A literature search was conducted in 4 electronic databases. Study Selection: English-language, peer-reviewed publications that investigated at least 1 correlate of children’s (ages 2–6 years) dietary intake in childcare settings and measured children’s actual consumption of foods and beverages from food groups were included. Data Extraction: Correlates were categorized into child, clan, community, and country groups. Results: A total of 55 studies, which examined 29 correlates, were reviewed. Correlates identified included child’s age, sex, characteristics of food provision (namely, food composition, foods and beverages served, portion sizes), repeated exposure, nutrition education, book reading, peer influence, meal service type, and childcare teachers’ responsive feeding practices. Policies and participation in Head Start and the Child and Adult Care Food Program could not be determined as correlates of children’s dietary intake, owing to a lack of evidence. Conclusion: This review produced a list of correlates to consider in designing interventions to improve children’s dietary intake in childcare settings. The correlates could contribute to development of lifelong healthy eating habits, thereby preventing childhood obesity

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Their Association with Breastfeeding and Child Weight Outcomes

Children of mothers with depressive symptoms are at a higher risk for psychosocial, behavioral, and developmental problems. However, the effects of maternal depression on children’s physical growth are not well understood. To address the gaps in the literature, this study examined the association between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding behaviors, and child weight outcomes. Data from 204 mother–child dyads who participated in the STRONG Kids 1 Study were used. Mothers and children were assessed twice when the children were 3 and 4 years old. Height and weight measurements of children and mothers were collected by trained researchers during both assessments. Multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance tests were used to examine the associations between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding, and age and sex-adjusted child body mass index percentile. Recurrent maternal depressive symptoms when the child was 3 and 4 years old were not associated with child body mass index percentiles (BMI-P) at age 4. Mothers who breastfed for at least 6 months had significantly lower depressive symptoms when their children were 3 years of age, but the differences did not persist at age 4. In this community sample, maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child BMI-P, regardless of breastfeeding duration