Sheryl O. Hughes|Richard M. Shewchuk|Monica L. Baskin|Theresa A. Nicklas|Haiyan Qu
Indulgent Feeding Style and Children’s Weight Status in Preschool
purpose primary aim study examine whether parent affect child temperament characteristics differ across feeding styles lowincome families given suggestive evidence secondary aim examine whether feeding styles still related childrens body mass index independent parent affect child temperament known correlates methods participants study 718 parents childrens attending head start programs across two sites texas alabama parents categorized feeding styles authoritative n 118 authoritarian n 219 indulgent n 240 uninvolved n 141 using parentreport questionnaire characterizing feeding general parenting paradigm parents completed questionnaires measured height weight obtained parents children results differences found across feeding styles parent affect child temperament characteristics indulgent parents reported lower negative affect lower negative affectivity children indulgent feeding style significantly associated higher child body mass index controlling parent affect child temperament correlates ethnicity child age parent body mass index conclusions results study show robust association indulgent feeding style weight status lowincome preschool childrens also suggest congruence parent emotional affect child temperament characteristics may contribute excess consumption among children indulgent parents