July Post 2016 - Moriah

Summary:

The prevalence of childhood obesity has doubled in the past three decades (May, Freedman, Sherry, & Blanck, 2013). As it becomes a growing concern, researchers have examined what predictors affect a child’s diet quality. Evidence has found that children’s food patterns and food preferences are shaped throughout a child’s early years (Johnson, Davies, Boles, Gavin & Bellows, 2015). As children spend most of their early years at home, it is important to examine various parental feeding practices and other factors around the house that can predict diet quality.

A study, assessing Australian preschool children’s diet quality, found that many preschool children do not eat the daily recommended amounts of total grains, whole grains and vegetables they need (Collins, Lacy, Campbell, & McNaughton, 2016). The purpose of the study was to examine what factors affect these behaviors. The study collected 24 hour recalls and other information from mothers including the child’s breastfeeding status, food availability, modeling of healthy eating, maternal nutrition knowledge, and food acceptance (Collins, Lacy, Campbell, & McNaughton, 2016). The study found that modeling of healthy eating was directly associated with a child’s diet quality (Collins, Lacy, Campbell, & McNaughton, 2016). Children are very observant and copy the behaviors they see around them.

Research conducted in 2014 had similar findings, examining the association between modeling of fruits and vegetables and consumption of fruits and vegetables. On average children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables was less than the recommended amount (Draxten, Fulkerson, Friend, Flattum & Schow, 2014). The study found that the more fruits and vegetables were modeled on the parents plate, during snacks and meals, the child’s consumption increased (Draxten, Fulkerson, Friend, Flattum & Schow, 2014).

The study on Australian preschool children also found that children who were breastfed longer at 9 months have healthier diets than children who weren’t (Collins, Lacy, Campbell, & McNaughton, 2016). The results from this study are consistent with results from other studies that emphasize the importance of establishing healthy eating habits early on in a child’s younger years.

References:

AND Continuing Education Article: 

Collins, L. J., Lacy, K. E., Campbell, K. J., & McNaughton, S. A. (2016). Research: The Predictors of Diet Quality among Australian Children Aged 3.5 Years. Journal Of The Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics, 1161114-1126.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.014

Supplemental Article 1: 

Draxten, M., Fulkerson, J. A., Friend, S., Flattum, C. F., & Schow, R. (2014). Research

report: Parental role modeling of fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks is associated with children's adequate consumption. Appetite, 781-7. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2014.02.017

Supplemental Article 2: 

Johnson, S. L., Davies, P. L., Boles, R. E., Gavin, W. J., & Bellows, L. L. (2015). Young

Children's Food Neophobia Characteristics and Sensory Behaviors Are Related to Their Food Intake. Journal Of Nutrition, 145(11), 2610-2616. doi:10.3945/jn.115.217299

Supplemental Article 3: 

May, A. L., Freedman, D., Sherry, B., & Blanck, H. M. (2013). Obesity -- United

States, 1999-2010. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 62120-128.