title: Maternal representations of their children in relation to feeding beliefs and practices among low-income mothers of young children.
abstract: Identifying maternal characteristics in relation to child feeding is important for addressing the current childhood obesity epidemic. The present study examines whether maternal representations of their children are associated with feeding beliefs and practices. Maternal representations refer to mothers' affective and cognitive perspectives regarding their children and their subjective experiences of their relationships with their children. This key maternal characteristic has not been examined in association with maternal feeding. Thus the purpose of the current study was to examine whether maternal representations of their children, reflected by Working Model of the Child Interview typologies (Balanced, Disengaged, or Distorted), were associated with maternal feeding beliefs (Authority, Confidence, and Investment) and practices (Pressure to Eat, Restriction, and Monitoring) among low-income mothers of young children, with maternal education examined as a covariate. Results showed that Balanced mothers were most likely to demonstrate high authority, Distorted mothers were least likely to demonstrate confidence, and Disengaged mothers were least likely to demonstrate investment in child feeding. Moreover, Balanced mothers were least likely to pressure their children to eat. Findings are discussed with regard to implications for the study of childhood obesity and for applied preventions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Christy Y Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Alison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Julie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lumeng
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Niko A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kaciroti
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: katier@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology; D016487:Parenting; D011203:Poverty; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Feeding beliefs; Low-income; Maternal representations; Pressure to eat