Socioeconomic Position and Picky Eating Behavior Predict Disparate Weight Trajectories in Infancy

Infant Appetitive Phenotypes: A Group-Based Multi-Trajectory Analysis

Background: Examining appetitive traits with person-centered analytical approaches can advance the understanding of appetitive phenotype trajectories across infancy, their origins, and influences upon them. The objective of the present study was to empirically describe appetitive phenotype trajectories in infancy and examine the associations with infant and parent factors.

Materials and Methods: In this longitudinal cohort study of Australian infants, parents completed three online surveys ~3 months apart, beginning when the infant was <6 months. Appetitive traits were assessed with the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire (BEBQ) and parent feeding practices with the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) infant and toddler version. Parent demographics and cognitions were also collected. Infant weight and length were transcribed from health records and converted to a BMI z-score. Group-based trajectory modeling identified appetitive phenotype trajectories using the BEBQ. Multilevel modeling examined change in feeding practices and child BMI z-score over time by appetitive phenotype trajectories.

Results: At time 1, 380 participants completed the survey (mean infant age 98 days), 178 at time 2 (mean infant age 198 days), and 154 at time 3 (mean infant age 303 days). Three multi-trajectory appetitive phenotype groups were identified and labeled as (Phenotype 1) food avoidant trending toward low food approach (21.32% of infants), (Phenotype 2) persistently balanced (50.53% of infants), and (Phenotype 3) high and continuing food approach (28.16% of infants). Formula feeding was more common in Phenotype 1 (p = 0.016). Parents of infants in Phenotype 1 were more likely to rate them as being more difficult than average, compared to infants with phenotypes 2 or 3. Phenotype 2 had the greatest increase in persuasive feeding over time [0.30; 95% CI (0.12, −0.47)].

Conclusions: Distinct multi-trajectory appetitive phenotype groups emerge early in infancy. These trajectories appear to have origins in both infant and parent characteristics as well as parent behaviors and cognitions. The infant multi-trajectory appetitive phenotype groups suggest that for some infants, difficulties in self-regulating appetite emerge early in life. Investigation of infant multi-trajectory appetitive phenotype groups that utilize a range of measures, examine relationships to key covariates and outcomes, and extend from infancy into childhood are needed.

Child involvement in meal preparation and grocery shopping is associated with lower levels of food fussiness among young children

This study examined associations between child food involvement and food fussiness. Analyses used survey data from 62 children ages 1.5 to 5.9 years who participated in the Guelph Family Health Study Pilot. Overall involvement (β = -0.51, p = 0.02), involvement in meal preparation (β = -0.42, p = 0.009), and involvement in grocery shopping (β = -0.29, p = 0.04) were inversely associated with food fussiness. Experimental research including larger, more diverse samples is needed to test whether food involvement reduces food fussiness among young children. Novelty: Our study identified significant, inverse associations between child food involvement and food fussiness.

Correlation of Picky Eating in Children’s Growth: A Systematic Review

Introduction: picky eating is a problem that is now common in children, characterized by not trying or limiting variations in food, especially vegetables and fruit. Picky eating has an important role in the development of children, both physically and emotionally, so that it becomes a concern for the parents.Method: this systematic review aims to explain the correlation of picky eating on a child's growth using PRISMA approach from two database: Scopus and Proquest limited to the last 5 years; from 2015-2019 and obtained 15 articles that selected. Identification of articles using keywords ('picky eating' AND 'children' AND 'weight' or 'growth').Result: according to the findings, it was found nine articles that mentioned picky eating had an effect on growth and six articles mentioned no effect. Limitation of this study is that there are other factors that influence picky eating in selected articles.Conclusion: the most of the result from the studies show the behavior of picky eating in children can affect the growth of both body weight and height, and can also affect nutritional status, emotional status, physical activity and health status. Nurses can provide education about the effects of picky eating behavior on children in parents.