A cross-sectional study of children's temperament, food consumption and the role of food-related parenting practices

Riikka Kaukonen; Elviira Lehto; Carola Ray; Henna Vepsäläinen; Kaija Nissinen; Liisa Korkalo; Leena Koivusilta; Nina Sajaniemi; Maijaliisa Erkkola; Eva Roos

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2019.03.023

A cross-sectional study of children's temperament, food consumption and the role of food-related parenting practices

Appetite. 2019 Jul 1:138:136-145. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.03.023. Epub 2019 Mar 24.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Food and Nutrition, P.O. Box 66, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: riikka.kaukonen@folkhalsan.fi.
² Department of Social Sciences, P.O. Box 100, 33014, University of Tampere, Finland; Faculty of Educational Sciences, P.O. Box 8, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
³ Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250, Helsinki, Finland.
⁴ Department of Food and Nutrition, P.O. Box 66, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
⁵ School of Food and Agriculture, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 412, 60101, Seinäjoki, Finland.
⁶ Department of Social Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, Assistentinkatu 7, 20014, University of Turku, Finland.
⁷ Faculty of Educational Sciences, P.O. Box 8, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland; Philosophical Faculty, School of Applied Educational Sciences and Teacher Education, P.O. Box 111, 80101, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
⁸ Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Food and Nutrition, P.O. Box 66, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Public Health, PO BOX 20, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.

PMID: 30917941
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.03.023

Abstract

Although evidence exists of the association between children's temperament and weight, only few studies have examined how temperament is associated with actual food consumption among preschoolers. We examined concurrent associations between children's temperament and the consumption of different foods, and investigated whether the association between children's temperament and vegetable consumption is mediated by vegetable-related parenting practices. We utilized the data from the cross-sectional DAGIS study of 864 preschool children aged between three to six and their families, conducted between 2015 and 2016 in Finland. The parents reported their children's temperament, food consumption, and their vegetable-related parenting practices. Adjusted logistic regression analyses found positive associations between surgency and vegetable consumption as well as between effortful control and vegetable consumption. Both associations were mediated by one examined vegetable-related parenting practice: enhanced availability and autonomy support. No associations were found between children's negative affectivity and food consumption or vegetable-related parenting practices. In conclusion, children's temperament may be an important factor behind food-related parenting practices and children's diet. However, further longitudinal research and research covering different food-related parenting practices and home environment factors is necessary to better understand the complex associations between temperament and food consumption among young children.

Keywords: Children; Diet; Fruit and vegetables; Parenting practices; Temperament.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child Behavior / psychology*
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Feeding Behavior / psychology*
Female
Finland
Food Preferences / psychology*
Humans
Male
Parent-Child Relations*
Parenting / psychology*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Temperament*