Maternal Eating Behavior and Problematic Eating Behaviors of Children with Overweight/Obesity

What is it about?

Childhood obesity is considered an epidemic. Studies have shown that maternal eating behaviors are major determinants in the development of children's problematic eating habits/behaviors, that in turn are often related to weight outcomes. This paper identifies distinct maternal profiles based on three eating behaviors (restraint eating, emotional, and uncontrolled eating). It showed how each specific maternal profile is related to the presence of problematic eating behaviors in children with overweight/obesity who are undergoing outpatient weight control treatment in a public health care setting.

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Why is it important?

Problematic eating behaviors are related with weight management difficulties. Three distinct maternal eating behavior profiles were found in this study: 1) the Disordered Eating, 2) the Restraint Eating, and 3) and the Low Disordered Eating profiles. Our findings can inform health care professionals and researchers about the distinguishing patterns of maternal eating behavior that might help to optimize pediatric obesity treatment outcomes by facilitating the development of personalized family-based interventions rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.