Parental Feeding Style, Energy Intake and Weight Status in Young Scottish Children - Research Paper Example

? Review of ‘Parental feeding style, energy intake and weight status in young Scottish children’ al affiliation Review of ‘Parental feeding style, energy intake and weight status in young Scottish children’ 1.0. Introduction Debates on the reasons behind dietary habits of children have kept raging on over the years. A great percentage of the analysts indicate that, parents contribute greatly in influencing the consumption rates and habits of their children. At most times, parents have been seen to rely on the public health interventions in the quest to come up with comprehensive information on the avoidance approaches on the probability of obesity in their children. At the same time, other researchers indicate that diet is fundamental to the development and maturity of children. In this case, therefore, the consumption rates and habits determine whether the child will be obese or a normal child. Blissett (2011, pp. 826) indicates that, it is imperative to make a note of the fact that, consumption habits and rates are recurrent in the subsequent adulthood years of the child. Though other factors like the media, school system have an effect on the eating habits, the role of the parent takes up the greatest percentage. This essay shall undertake an initiative to critically review the work of Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1149) by comparing and contrasting it with the works of other authors. The critique will highlight the similarity of various arguments in the text, as well as, the contrasts of the journal with others of the same topic. Additionally, the critique will attempt to highlight the most tangible evidence provided in the selected texts. 2.0. Evaluation/Synthesis  According to Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1150), the feeding style of parents play a major role in determining the kind of feeding behavior of their children. Alternatively, the weight of the children emanates from the types of feeding programs imposed on the child. This argument concurs with the thoughts of Clark, et al (2007, pp. 132) who argue that a great majority of the parents end up overfeeding their children not knowing they are doing it. Most of the times, parents tend to think that they are adjusting the dietary systems of the children, but in the real sense, they end up bringing up obese children; in turn, look for alternatives to handle the weight issue. In this context, therefore, it is justified to argue that, parents are the major determinants of the dietary habits of their patients. In order to come up with tangible evidence on the notion of parents feeding styles and obese children, Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1149) conducted a survey using the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) on a sample of 117 selected Scottish children. In this case, they aimed at finding out if gender implicates the weight of the child, weight status of children, feeding styles as well as, the normal intakes of energy by the sample children. The major aim of this article includes, conducting research on the changes that have taken place in the sample children since the commencement of the research, the implications of diet regulation and the weight of the children and finally the intake level of energies by the Scottish children. It is justified to argue that, this article is valid, in that, the research was confined on children of two age numbers; thus, it was extremely easy to collect and analyze the data collected. This journal also concurs with the thoughts of Powers, et al (2006, pp. 2026) who argue that the high rates of obesity amongst children have been related to the parent feeding styles and practices introduced on the children. From the results of Haycraft, Blissett, and Meyer’s (2011, pp. 647) research, eating behaviors of the children have a great correlation with the parenting style, in relation to the feeding practices. Sleddens, et al (2010, pp. 30) study also incorporated the use of Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire to assess the impacts of the feeding styles on children’s weight. Conclusively, the results indicated that children’s snacking behavior was related to the feeding habits taught by parents. In Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1149) study, the aspect of gender was included in the study, so as to come up with comprehensive data on the impacts of feeding habits and weight gain and loss in children. However, the research also faced a myriad of issues. Whilst conducting their research, Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1149) argue that, it confirmed to be an uphill task attempting to find consistency between parents’ feeding styles and energy balance outcome. The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) in this context could not bring out a clear picture on the factors that ensured control on feeding styles. Factors such as the restriction to foods, eating habits monitoring programs and pressure to eat were not well measured through the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ). The CFQ was noted to lack the ability to generalize aspects in its studies. This instrument was not useful in measuring the aspects of parental feeding like the factors that would discern various aspects of parental feeding styles. This method of collecting data is disqualified by Daniels, et al (2009, pp. 387) research that opted to use randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the intake of food by children as well as, the preferred food types. This journal works on the rationale that, in as much some children are likely to be naturally obese, parents feeding styles contribute a great mile in an attempt to found eating styles in the children, an argument that has a high relationship with the argument of Coulthard, Blissett and Harris (2004, pp.104). 3.0. Analysis/Application  In order to understand child obesity, it is important to incorporate key aspects such as energy regulation, intake and metabolism in the discussion. In this case of parents’ contribution in feeding styles, the issue of parental control cannot be alienated. Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1149) journal integrates an in-depth analysis of the analysis and application of the above methodologies in the research. The journal has also undertaken an initiative of evaluating works of various authors and researchers in an endeavor to direct their study towards the application of the related research activities. In an attempt to analyze the source material, Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1150) found it useful to carry out research on a various samples in an attempt to understand the dietary habits in relation to parents’ and their impositions. This is proven from the 3-5 year old sample that was selected from Scotland. The selected individuals were subjected to take part in a Preschool activity, Lifestyle and Energetic studies. A sample of 209 families is an indication of comprehensive data that is likely to be collected from the study. In this research, aspects of energy intake- an important aspect of this research, as indicated above- was not alienated from the study. This is evident from the fact that, the energy intake was critically assessed over three days of research per week. On the other hand, the research incorporated the major concept that of feeding styles, as indicated in the CFQ responses. Most importantly, the research incorporated both boys and girls in the research; thus, the research was not biased on one gender. This is unlike most of the research done by other researchers and analysts, who are not keen on the issue of gender in research. A case in point is the work of Gregory, Paxton and Brozovic’s (2010, pp.55) work that is more inclined in the assessment of dietary habits and the implications on the girls. This is an indication of the bigotry of the work as the males have been alienated from the research. As indicated earlier, for the study on energy intake to be successful, the body mass index (BMI) cannot be alienated from the study. In this case, Montgomery, et al (2006, pp.1150) made attempts to carry out anthropometry studies, in an attempt to compute the weight and stature of the participants using Sea Scales. From this calculation, the BMI of both parents and children were calculated. The standard deviation score of BMI was considered a positive attribute as it had a great relationship with feeding styles, as compared to the responses of the CFQ. With this, it is warranted to argue that Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1150) work incorporated all the basics of ensuring that proper analysis is conducted on the feeding styles and impacts on children. Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1150) study includes the aspect of dietary energy intake in carrying out research. Just like in Hoerr, et al (2009, pp.59), energy intake is alienable from a study of dietary habits. In their work, they analyzed the amount of energy in various foods and the energy levels of each. Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1150) conducted an analysis of energy intake using the 24hr recall method that analyzed the habitual energy intakes and impacts on the weight of the children. Variations were dealt with by expressing energy intakes using kilograms per body weight. The results of the study were evaluated and directed to the application of research activities. 4.0. Knowledge/Understanding The study of Montgomery, et al portrays sufficient evidence of information and understanding of the basics behind childhood obesity. Whilst conducting the research, study was more inclined towards describing and communicating aspects of energy metabolism and intake, as well as parental contribution on the weight of children just like in Kral and Faith’s (2009, pp.599) research. In the CFQ, the questions indicate aspects of feeding programs and parental responsibility on the same. Parents’ move to restrict their children on intake of certain foods is evident. This is attributed to the parents’ concern to control the weight of their children in the future. In the CFQ, variables on the parental influence on energy intake are seen to influence the weight of children under study. A close relationship can be seen in Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp.1149) work. Additionally, the responses were ordered on a Likert scale in an attempt to identify the factors that, that implicated weight of the children, such as perceived weight of parents and children, dietary habits monitoring as well as, restriction to consumptions of some foods. To prove the tangibility of the study, the statistical responses indicate that, the responses are consistent; thus an indication of relationship between the parental feeding styles and weight of children. On more specific grounds, the CFQ factor was seen to be positively correlated with energy intake for boys, while for the girls, none of the CFQ factors were correlated with energy intake, and weight of the child (Montgomery, et al, 2006, pp. 1151). It is, therefore, reasonable to argue that, this journal’s results are in line with the topic in question. The major theme, however, is to bring out the view that, feeding styles play a major role in determining the weight of children just like in Webber, et al’s (2010, pp.260) work. In order to validate their work, Montgomery, et al’s (2006, pp. 1152) compared their studies with that conducted by other researchers and analysts. To fill in the gaps, they found out that their data did not compare to that of any other research convicted. Other research did not record any differences between girls’ and boys’ weight, as a result of feeding programs by the parents. This includes a research conducted from the Birch studies that explained that girls from families of slightly high economic status are likely to have streamlined feeding habits, dissimilar to the boys (Birch and Fisher, 2000, pp.1055).This argument is in line with Savage, Fisher and Birch’s (2007, pp.25) argument that, social and economic status of families is crucial in determining the types of feeding patterns by the parents to their children. Montgomery, et al (2006, pp. 1152) continue to argue that, more investigations need to be carried out on the gender variances and the feeding styles that come along with the differences. This is an interpretation of the inclusiveness of the journal and detection of the gaps that need to filled, in order to come up with the correct data regarding feeding styles. 5.0. Conclusion Montgomery, et al’s work is a study that has undertaken an initiative of focusing on the impacts of feeding styles on the weight of children. Their work concurs with Wardle, et al’s work (2002, pp. 453) and that of Monge-Rojas, et al (2010, pp. 253) as all narrow down on the fact that, feeding styles determine the kind of adolescents that will develop from the childhood of monitored or non-monitored feeding styles. From the results, it is evident that, the results bring out a clear picture on the implications of feeding styles on children. The study also fills in the gaps of previously conducted research on U.S.A. on the issue of gender differences and weight. From the results of the CFQ questionnaires, one can easily deduce that, the objectives of the research are met, in that, the results concur with the aim of comparing the weight of children and BMI as indicated earlier in the study. The study relied on the parental apprehension over the weight of their children just like indicated in Scaglioni, Salvioni and Galimberti’s (2008, pp.23) work. The results indicate a high correlation between feeding styles and energy intake by the children. The home food practices are the major determinants of the type of the children that will be bred, whether obsess or not. From this study, it is vivid that parents are the major determinants of the sequences children are likely to follow from childhood, throughout adulthood. Parents, in this context, have an upper hand, in fashioning the dietary habits of their children. 6.0. References Birch, L, and Fisher, J, 2000, Mothers' child-feeding practices influence daughters' eating and weight. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 71(5), 1054-1061. Blisset, J, 2011, Relationships between parenting style, feeding style and feeding practices and fruit and vegetable consumption in early childhood, Appetite (2011)57, (3): 826–831. Clark, et al, 2007, How do parents' child-feeding behaviors influence child weight? Implications for childhood obesity policy, Journal of Public Health (2007) 29 (2): 132-141. Coulthard, H, Blisset, J, and Harris, G, 2004, The relationship between parental eating problems and children's feeding behavior: a selective review of the literature, Eating Behaviors (2004) 5, (2): 103-115. Daniels, et al, 2009, The NOURISH randomized control trial: Positive feeding practices and food preferences in early childhood - a primary prevention program for childhood, BMC Public Health 2009, 9:387. Gregory, J, Paxton, S, and Brozovic, A, 2010, Maternal feeding practices, child eating behavior and body mass index in preschool-aged children: a prospective analysis, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2010, 7:55.  Haycraft, E, Blisset, J, and Meyer, C, 2011, The role of parenting in the relationship between childhood eating problems and broader behavior, Care, Health and Development (2011) 37, (5): 642–648. Hoerr, et al, 2009, Associations among parental feeding styles and children's food intake in families with limited incomes. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2009), 6:55. Kral, T, and Faith, M, 2009, Parent (Eating) Behaviors and Food Preferences Predict Child Eating Behaviors and Food Preferences: The Familial Association. Journal of Pediatric Psychology (2009) 34(6):596-605. Monge- Rojas, et al, 2010, Parental feeding styles and adolescents’ healthy eating habits. Structure and correlates of a Costa Rican. Appetite (2010) 55 (2): 253–262. Montgomery, et al, 2006, Parental feeding style, energy intake and weight status in young Scottish children, The British Journal of Nutrition, (2006) 96 (6): 1149–1153. Powers, et al, 2006, Maternal Feeding Strategies, Child Eating Behaviors, and Child BMI in Low-Income African-American Preschoolers, Obesity (2006) 14, 2026–2033. Salvioni, M, Scaglioni, S, and Galimberti, C, 2008, Influence of parental attitudes in the development of children eating behavior, British Journal of Nutrition (2008), 99, Suppl. 1, S22–S25. Savage, J, Fisher, O, and Birch, L, 2007, Parental Influence on Eating Behavior. Conception to Adolescence. Journal of Law Med Ethics (2007) 35(1): 22–34. Sleddens, et al, 2010, Relationship between parental feeding styles and eating behaviours of Dutch children aged 6–7, Appetite (2010), 54 (1): 30-36. Wardle, et al, 2002, Parental Feeding Style and the Inter-generational Transmission of Obesity Risk, Obesity Research (2002) 10, 453–462. Webber, et al, 2010, Associations between child weight and maternal feeding styles are mediated by maternal perceptions and concerns, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64: 259-265. Read More