Effects of sucrose detection threshold and weight status on intake of fruit and vegetables in children

Past research on the relationship between taste sensitivity and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in children has focused on sensitivity to bitter taste. The effects of sensitivity to sweet taste on intake of FV have never been investigated. Furthermore, the effects of children's weight on intake of FV are inconclusive. This study measured the effects of Sucrose Detection Threshold (SDT) and weight status on intake of FV in children. The participants of this study were 99 children between 5–9 years old. Parents reported their own and their children's 24 hour intake of FV and completed a measure of children's sensory sensitivity. Children completed the triangle test with suprathreshold concentrations of sucrose ranging between 0.2% and 1.6%, in 0.2% increments. Two MANCOVAs showed that, controlling for parental intake and children's sensory sensitivity, there was a main effect of SDT on intake of fruit (p < 0.05), which was exclusive to non-astringent fruit (p < 0.05), and cruciferous vegetables (p < 0.01). Weight status had no effect on intake of FV. Mechanisms behind the effects of SDT are discussed in the context of past research on bitter taste sensitivity

Past exposure to fruit and vegetable variety moderates the link between fungiform papillae density and current variety of FV consumed by children

Higher fungiform papillae density (FPD) has been associated with lower taste sensitivity thresholds and greater perceived taste intensity along with consumption of fewer fruit and vegetables (FV). Children exposed to greater variety of FV tend to habitually consume more FV, however, it is unknown whether exposure effects are attenuated by individual differences in FPD or whether these effects vary according to sensory properties of FV. This study examined the links between children's FPD, current variety of FV consumed, and past experiences with variety of fruit and vegetables. FPD counts were obtained from 61 children between 5 and 9 years old, in schools from affluent areas of Birmingham (UK). Parents completed food frequency questionnaires indicating the variety of FV consumed by children in the last 7 days. Parents also indicated the number of different FV types the children had tasted in their lifetime. FV were subdivided to reflect differences in their sensory properties. The results showed that children with higher FPD who in their lifetime had tasted a greater variety of FV ate a larger variety of FV compared to children with higher FPD, but with lower past exposure. When examining effects within specific subcategories of fruits and vegetables, this pattern held for non-astringent fruit and showed a trend for non-bitter vegetables. Children with lower FPD consumed similar variety of FV irrespective of past experiences with variety of FV. The results suggest that when strong or irritant sensory food properties are not a barrier to intake, higher FPD in the presence of supportive home food environment may be beneficial for FV intake. Individual phenotypic differences may affect responsiveness to environmental factors in children's intake of FV

Multiple measures of impulsivity, eating behaviours and adiposity in 7-11-year-olds

Previous research suggests that the relationship between the multiple aspects of children’s impulsivity, eating behaviour and adiposity may depend on measures used. Fifty 7-11-year-olds (28 female, 22 male) completed four impulsivity tasks (Go/No-Go, Door Opening, Circle Drawing, Delay Discounting), consumed a snack, reported on their eating, and were weighed and measured. Parents completed measures of child impulsivity and eating behaviour. Impulsivity and adiposity were positively correlated. Lower rates of delay discounting were associated with lower snack intake. Ability to inhibit a pre-potent response was related to dietary restraint and snack intake. Findings suggest a complex, multifaceted relationship between impulsivity, eating and adiposity, which are measure and respondent dependent

Maternal and paternal controlling feeding practices: reliability and relationships with BMI

Objective: This study aimed to examine the interrelationships between mothers' and fathers' reports on the child-feeding questionnaire (CFQ), the BMI of parents and their children, and observations of parents' controlling feeding practices at mealtimes. Methods and Procedures: Twenty-three mothers and twenty-three fathers of children aged between 18 and 67 months reported on their child-feeding practices, on their child's height and weight, and were observed during a normal family mealtime at home. Results: No associations were found between mothers' reported and observed feeding practices. Fathers' reported pressure to eat and restriction were associated with more controlling observed mealtime feeding practices. Mothers and fathers did not significantly differ in their reported or observed child-feeding practices. Children's BMI was not related to maternal or paternal reported or observed feeding practices. More mealtime pressure was observed in parents with a higher BMI. Discussion: Fathers' self-reports of their mealtime practices are reliable. Mothers' feeding practices may differ when fathers are present and further work should examine mothers at mealtimes with and without fathers. Although children's BMI was not related to parents' use of reported or observed control, parents with a higher BMI were more controlling, highlighting the importance of considering parents' own weight in future studies

Are parenting style and controlling feeding practices related?

This study examined the relationships between parenting styles, feeding practices and BMI in a non-clinical sample of mothers and fathers of UK preschool children. Ninety-six cohabiting parents of 48 children (19 male, 29 female, mean age 42 months) completed a series of self-report questionnaires assessing parenting style, feeding practices, eating psychopathology and a range of demographic information. There were no relationships between authoritarian parenting and controlling feeding practices. In both mothers and fathers, permissive parenting style was related to lower monitoring of children's unhealthy food intake. Permissive parenting was also associated with increased use of restriction by mothers and pressure to eat by fathers. Authoritative parenting style was also related to lower use of pressure to eat by fathers only. Parenting styles were not related to child BMI in this sample. Higher child BMI was best predicted by lower paternal application of pressure to eat and greater paternal reports of drive for thinness. Parenting style may not have a direct impact on child BMI until child food selection and consumption becomes more autonomous

Controlling feeding practices and psychopathology in a non-clinical sample of mothers and fathers

Objective To explore the relationships between controlling feeding practices and a range of mental health symptoms while considering both parent and child gender. Method Mothers and fathers (N = 214) of children aged 18–59 months completed self-report measures of their child feeding practices, eating psychopathology and general mental health symptomology. Results Feeding practices did not differ across any of the four parent–child gender dyads. Mothers’ eating psychopathology scores were significantly higher than fathers’ but parents did not significantly differ in the severity of their other mental health symptoms. Associations between disordered eating symptoms and controlling feeding practices were only seen in mothers of daughters and fathers of sons. In general, a range of mental health symptomologies in this non-clinical sample were related to more controlling feeding practices across all four dyads. Psychopathology was most strongly related to controlling feeding practices in parents of girls. Conclusion Symptoms of psychopathology may be more likely to associate with controlling feeding practices in parents of daughters due to societal values for slimness in females

Food rejection in young children:Validation of the Child Food Rejection Scale in English and cross-cultural examination in the UK and France.

Although there are numerous studies examining food rejection (neophobia and pickiness), very few studies have directly compared these particular behaviors in children from different countries. Testing children from different countries is important for future research, as there are clear differences between European countries in early feeding practices and child fruit and vegetable consumption. In the present study we aimed to (i) validate the Child Food Rejection Scale in English and (ii) compare children’s food neophobia and pickiness in the UK and France. To that aim, the Child Food Rejection Scale was first translated into English and its reliability and validity were assessed. Second, food rejection scores in a UK sample (n=117) and in a French sample (n=256) were directly compared to examine cross-cultural differences. Results showed that the Child Food Rejection Scale can be successfully used outside France. Moreover results revealed that UK children are less neophobic and picky than French children. These cultural differences can be useful to inform targeted interventions to change food related behaviors in these different populations

Observing Maternal Restriction of Food with 3–5-Year-Old Children:Relationships with Temperament and Later Body Mass Index (BMI)

Overt parental restriction of food has previously been associated with child weight; however, most research has relied on self-reported feeding behaviour, or observations which give little opportunity to observe restriction of food. Using a novel lab-based observational technique to increase the opportunity to observe maternal feeding restriction, we explored the relationships between maternal restriction, child responses to restriction and child temperament with child body mass index (BMI) Z-scores over time. Sixty-two mother child dyads were recruited to the study when their children were aged 3–5 years and were followed up 2 years later (N = 39 dyads). Families were observed during a feeding interaction in the laboratory where cookies were offered with the main meal to increase the opportunity for maternal restriction of food. Feeding observations were coded and child temperament and BMI were measured. Controlling for current child BMI Z-scores, greater maternal verbal and physical restriction of food at 3–5 years was related to higher child BMI Z-scores at 5–7 years. More emotional children were less likely to experience restriction and less likely to accept attempts to restrict their food intake. Further research should consider children’s reactions to parental feeding behaviours in greater depth and explore how feeding practices interact with child temperament in the prediction of changes in child weight

Maternal and paternal controlling feeding practices with male and female children

This study aimed to compare maternal and paternal feeding practices with male and female children and examine the influence of the gender of both the parent and child on the relationship between parental unhealthy eating attitudes and controlling feeding practices. One hundred and eighty-eight participants (94 co-habiting mother–father dyads, mean age 36.4 years, SD=4.9), who were the parents of 46 male and 48 female children (mean age 37.7 months, SD=12.7) completed measures of unhealthy eating attitudes and feeding practices. Mothers and fathers differed significantly in their reports of unhealthy eating attitudes but not in their restrictive or pressurising feeding practices. Mothers reported greater perceived feeding responsibility and greater monitoring of their children's food intake than fathers. Bulimia scores were correlated with controlling feeding practices in mothers of girls but not boys. Fathers’ body dissatisfaction was correlated with monitoring of sons’ but not daughters’ food intake. These findings suggest that parental extrapolation of weight concerns may be more likely to occur within mother–daughter and father–son relationships

The role of sensory sensitivity in predicting food selectivity and food preferences in children with Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by involuntary, repetitive and non-rhythmic motor and vocal tics. Despite suggestion that diet may affect tics, and the substantial research into children's diet, eating behaviours and sensory processing in comorbid disorders (e.g. ASD), research in TS is lacking. The present study examined differences between children with and without TS in parental reports of child selective eating, food preferences and sensitivity, and aimed to examine sensory sensitivity as a predictor of food selectivity outcomes in children with and without TS. Thirty caregivers of children with TS (M = 10 years 8 months [SD = 2.40]) and the caregivers of 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) children (M = 9 years 9 months [SD = 2.50]) completed the following measures online: Short Sensory Profile, Food Preference Questionnaire for Children, Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Children with TS were reported to have significantly higher levels of food selectivity and sensory sensitivity, and less preference for fruit and vegetables than TD children. Importantly, while higher levels of overall sensory sensitivity predicted eating outcomes in the TS group, only sensitivity to taste/smell was found to be a predictor of food selectivity and preference for vegetables for both groups of children. The findings suggest that efforts to address food selectivity in children with TS may be enhanced by including strategies that address atypical sensory processing