title: Associations between parental feeding practices, problem food behaviours and dietary intake in New Zealand overweight children aged 4-8 years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Parents report that children's eating behaviours are a major barrier to providing them with a healthy diet. Links between problem eating behaviours and parental feeding practices are not well established and have not previously been examined in overweight children. The aim of the present study was to assess associations between problem food behaviours, dietary intake and parental feeding practices of overweight children aged 4-8 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited for a lifestyle intervention (n 203). At baseline, children's BMI was measured and parents completed comprehensive questionnaires about the feeding practices they used, the problem food behaviours their children exhibited and the foods their child consumed. A fussy eating scale was developed and associations were determined using correlations and regression analysis, including interactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dunedin, New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overweight children aged 4-8 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Healthy eating guidance and monitoring by parents were related to the consumption of fewer unhealthy foods (B=-0·4, P=0·001 and B=-0·4, P<0·001). Conversely, a lack of parental control (child control) was related to a higher intake of unhealthy foods (B = 0·5, P<0·001). Parents of children who were fussy eaters monitored their child's food intake less (P<0·001) and allowed the child more freedom over what he/she ate (P<0·001). These children consumed fewer fruit and vegetables than those who were not fussy eaters (P<0·001). However, fussy eaters with food-restrictive parents ate more fruit and vegetables (B=2·9, P<0·001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that a more structured food environment might be beneficial for the diet and food behaviours of young overweight children.
authors: 1Department of Human Nutrition,University of Otago,Dunedin,New Zealand.
authors: Jillian J
authors: JJ
authors: Haszard
authors: 1Department of Human Nutrition,University of Otago,Dunedin,New Zealand.
authors: Paula M L
authors: PM
authors: Skidmore
authors: 2Department of Preventive and Social Medicine,University of Otago,Dunedin,New Zealand.
authors: Sheila M
authors: SM
authors: Williams
authors: 3Department of Medicine,University of Otago,PO Box 56,Dunedin 9054,New Zealand.
authors: Rachael W
authors: RW
authors: Taylor
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: Overweight