The importance of mealtime structure for reducing child food fussiness

Faye Powell*, Claire Farrow, Caroline Meyer, Emma Haycraft

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore how the structure of mealtimes within the family setting is related to children's fussy eating behaviours. Seventy-five mothers of children aged between 2 and 4 years were observed during a typical mealtime at home. The mealtimes were coded to rate mealtime structure and environment as well as the child's eating behaviours (food refusal, difficulty to feed, eating speed, positive and negative vocalisations). Mealtime structure emerged as an important factor which significantly distinguished children with higher compared with lower levels of food fussiness. Children whose mothers ate with their child and ate the same food as their child were observed to refuse fewer foods and were easier to feed compared with children whose mothers did not. During mealtimes where no distractors were used (e.g. no TV, magazines or toys), or where children were allowed some input into food choice and portioning, children were also observed to demonstrate fewer fussy eating behaviours. Findings of this study suggest that it may be important for parents to strike a balance between structured mealtimes, where the family eats together and distractions are minimal, alongside allowing children some autonomy in terms of food choice and intake.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12296
Number of pages7
JournalMaternal and Child Nutrition
Volume13
Issue number2
Early online date8 Apr 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2017

Bibliographical note

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Powell, F., Farrow, C., Meyer, C., & Haycraft, E. (2016). The importance of mealtime structure for reducing child food fussiness. Maternal & child nutrition, Early online. , which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12296. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

Keywords

  • food fussiness
  • mealtimes
  • eating behaviour
  • children
  • modelling
  • family

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