title: Differential maternal feeding practices, eating self-regulation, and adiposity in young twins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Restrictive feeding is associated with childhood obesity; however, this could be due to other factors that drive children to overeat and parents to restrict (eg, child genetics). Using a twin design to better control for confounders, we tested differences in restrictive feeding within families in relation to differences in twins' self-regulatory eating and weight status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four same-gender twin pairs (4-7 years old) were studied with their mothers. Child caloric compensation ability (COMPX% index) was assessed by using a laboratory-based protocol. The Child Feeding Questionnaire assessed mothers' self-reported feeding styles toward each twin. Child BMI (kg/m(2)) and BMI z score were calculated by using measured weight and height; percent body fat and waist circumference were also assessed. Partial correlations examined within-twin pair differences in Child Feeding Questionnaire subscales in relation to within-twin pair differences in anthropometry and caloric compensation (COMPX%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences in maternal restriction were significantly associated with within-pair differences in child COMPX% and BMI z score. Mothers reported more restriction toward the heavier and more poorly compensating twin. Additionally, within-pair differences in parental pressure to eat were associated with significant differences in BMI z score, percent body fat, and waist circumference. Mothers were more pressuring toward the lighter twin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mothers vary in their feeding practices, even among same-gender twin pairs, which might influence differences in adiposity. Future research needs to elucidate cause-and-effect and intervention implications regarding parental restriction and pressure-to-eat prompts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina;
authors.forename: Gina L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Tripicchio
authors.affiliation: Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;
authors.forename: Kathleen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina;
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Unit, Verona University Medical School, Verona, Italy; Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pietrobelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Moonseong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; mfaith@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Myles S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Faith
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D031204:Caloric Restriction / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014427:Twins / Q000523:psychology
keywords: adiposity; genetics; parenting practices; pediatrics; psychosocial