Maternal feeding behaviour and young children's dietary quality: A cross-sectional study of socially disadvantaged mothers of two-year old children using the Theory of Planned Behaviour
2011

Maternal Feeding Behavior and Children's Diet Quality

Sample size: 300 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Vivien Swanson, Kevin G Power, Iain K Crombie, Linda Irvine, Kirsty Kiezebrink, Wendy Wrieden, Peter W Slane

Primary Institution: Department of Psychology, University of Stirling

Hypothesis

How do maternal feeding behaviors relate to the dietary quality of young children in socially disadvantaged families?

Conclusion

Interventions aimed at improving young children's dietary health should focus on changing maternal motivations and attitudes to enhance feeding behaviors.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mothers of children with poorer diets were less likely to provide breakfast daily.
  • TPB factors significantly predicted maternal feeding behaviors.
  • Children's dietary quality was linked to maternal feeding practices.

Takeaway

Moms who cook meals from scratch and eat together with their kids help them eat healthier. This study shows that how moms feel about food matters a lot.

Methodology

Cross-sectional survey with home-based semi-structured interviews and regression analyses.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to self-reporting and the specific demographic of participants.

Limitations

Self-reported behaviors may reflect social desirability bias; the study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.

Participant Demographics

Mothers aged 18-34, mostly single parents, 91% unemployed, living in rented social housing.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5868-8-65

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