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The importance of mealtime structure for reducing child food fussiness

  • Faye Powell
    ,
  • Claire Farrow
    ,
  • Caroline Meyer
    ,
  • Emma Haycraft
  • Aston University
    ,
  • University of Warwick
    ,
  • University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
    ,
  • Loughborough University
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore how the structure of mealtimes within the family setting is related to children's fussy eating behaviours. Seventy-five mothers of children aged between 2 and 4 years were observed during a typical mealtime at home. The mealtimes were coded to rate mealtime structure and environment as well as the child's eating behaviours (food refusal, difficulty to feed, eating speed, positive and negative vocalisations). Mealtime structure emerged as an important factor which significantly distinguished children with higher compared with lower levels of food fussiness. Children whose mothers ate with their child and ate the same food as their child were observed to refuse fewer foods and were easier to feed compared with children whose mothers did not. During mealtimes where no distractors were used (e.g. no TV, magazines or toys), or where children were allowed some input into food choice and portioning, children were also observed to demonstrate fewer fussy eating behaviours. Findings of this study suggest that it may be important for parents to strike a balance between structured mealtimes, where the family eats together and distractions are minimal, alongside allowing children some autonomy in terms of food choice and intake.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages e12296

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Maternal and Child Nutrition (Volume 13, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 04/01/2016
  • Published - 08/04/2016

Publication status

Published - 08/04/2016

ISSN

1740-8695

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/623849
  • Scopus: 84963813211

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