Factorial validation analysis of the Baby and Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaires in Samoa

Parental perceptions of body weight and appetite in infants and toddlers with cystic fibrosis

Nutritional status has clinical relevance and is a target of guidance to parents of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Growth is routinely monitored in CF clinics but there is no standardized way of assessing appetitive behaviors or parents' perceptions of their children's appetite. Greater understanding of these factors could improve clinical guidance regarding parent feeding behaviors. We therefore aimed to assess parent perceptions of child weight, and parent reports of child appetite using the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire (BEBQ), in a sample of infants and toddlers with CF, compared with a community sample. We additionally assessed relationships of parent perceptions of child weight with parent feeding behaviors in the sample with CF. Anthropometric and questionnaire data were collected for 32 infants and toddlers with CF, as well as 193 infants and toddlers drawn from RESONANCE, a community cohort study. Parents perceived children with CF to be lower in weight than their actual weight, to a greater extent than was evident in the community sample. Parents who perceived their children with CF to be underweight vs. right weight reported greater slowness in eating on the BEBQ. Parents perceived children with CF to have greater slowness in eating and lower enjoyment of food, compared to parents of children in the community sample, independent of sample differences in child weight, age, and sex. Our results demonstrate the potential utility of the BEBQ in a clinical sample and suggest it may be helpful for clinicians to assess parents' perceptions of their child's weight and appetite to promote a fuller understanding of the child's nutritional status, facilitate appropriate feeding behaviors and alleviate unnecessary concerns.

The milk study protocol: A longitudinal, prospective cohort study of the relationship between human milk metabolic hormone concentration, maternal body composition, and early growth and satiety development in Samoan infants aged 1-4 months

BACKGROUND

Current research suggests that energy transfer through human milk influences infant nutritional development and initiates metabolic programming, influencing eating patterns into adulthood. To date, this research has predominantly been conducted among women in high income settings and/or among undernourished women. We will investigate the relationship between maternal body composition, metabolic hormones in human milk, and infant satiety to explore mechanisms of developmental satiety programming and implications for early infant growth and body composition in Samoans; a population at high risk and prevalence for overweight and obesity. Our aims are (1) to examine how maternal body composition influences metabolic hormone transfer from mother to infant through human milk, and (2) to examine the influences of maternal metabolic hormone transfer and infant feeding patterns on early infant growth and satiety.

METHODS

We will examine temporal changes in hormone transfers to infants through human milk in a prospective longitudinal cohort of n = 80 Samoan mother-infant dyads. Data will be collected at three time points (1, 3, & 4 months postpartum). At each study visit we will collect human milk and fingerpick blood samples from breastfeeding mother-infant dyads to measure the hormones leptin, ghrelin, and adiponectin. Additionally, we will obtain body composition measurements from the dyad, observe breastfeeding behavior, conduct semi-structured interviews, and use questionnaires to document infant hunger and feeding cues and satiety responsiveness. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analyses will be conducted to address each aim.

DISCUSSION

This research is designed to advance our understanding of variation in the developmental programming of satiety and implications for early infant growth and body composition. The use of a prospective longitudinal cohort alongside data collection that utilizes a mixed methods approach will allow us to capture a more accurate representation on both biological and cultural variables at play in a population at high risk of overweight and obesity.

Validity and reliability of the baby Eating behaviour Questionnaire in a Turkey sample

The research was centered on developing a Turkish version of the Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (BEBQ), ensuring cultural and linguistic adaptation while upholding its reliability and validity. Employing a methodological approach, the study encompassed 202 mothers whose infants were aged between 0 and 6 months. Data collection took place from December 2022 to January 2023, utilizing the Parent Demographic Questionnaire and BEBQ. Statistical analysis incorporated descriptive statistics, assessing reliability through Cronbach's alpha, test-retest, and item-total score analysis. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, revealing 18 items across 4 sub-dimensions, explaining 58.3% of total variance. The scale demonstrated high reliability with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.81, while Confirmatory Factor Analysis validated the model with a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation at 0.074. Test-retest results exhibited a strong correlation (Pearson Correlation of 0.97, p < 0.001). The adapted BEBQ serves as a valid, reliable tool for evaluating infant feeding behavior in the Turkish context.

Associations of maternal food addiction, dietary restraint, and pre-pregnancy BMI with infant eating behaviors and risk for overweight

Maternal food addiction, dietary restraint, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) are associated with high-risk eating behaviors and weight characteristics in children and adolescents. However, little is known about how these maternal factors are associated with individual differences in eating behaviors and risk for overweight in infancy. In a sample of 204 infant-mother dyads, maternal food addiction, dietary restraint and pre-pregnancy BMI were assessed using maternal self-report measures. Infant eating behaviors (as measured by maternal report), objectively measured hedonic response to sucrose, and anthropometry were measured at 4 months of age. Separate linear regression analyses were used to test for associations between maternal risk factors and infant eating behaviors and risk for overweight. Maternal food addiction was associated with increased risk for infant overweight based on World Health Organization criteria. Maternal dietary restraint was negatively associated with maternal report of infant appetite, but positively associated with objectively measured infant hedonic response to sucrose. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was positively associated with maternal report of infant appetite. Maternal food addiction, dietary restraint, and pre-pregnancy BMI are each associated with distinct eating behaviors and risk for overweight in early infancy. Additional research is needed to identify the mechanistic pathways driving these distinct associations between maternal factors and infant eating behaviors and risk for overweight. Further, it will be important to investigate whether these infant characteristics predict the development of future high-risk eating behaviors or excessive weight gain later in life.

Children's eating behaviours and related constructs: conceptual and theoretical foundations and their implications

BACKGROUND

There is a substantial body of research on children's eating behaviours (e.g., food responsiveness and fussiness) and related constructs (e.g., eating in the absence of hunger, appetite self-regulation). This research provides a foundation for understanding children's dietary intakes and healthy eating behaviours, as well as efforts at intervention, whether in relation to food avoidance, overeating and/or trajectories to excess weight gain. The success of these efforts and their associated outcomes is dependent on the theoretical foundation and conceptual clarity of the behaviours and constructs. This, in turn contributes to the coherence and precision of the definitions and measurement of these behaviours and constructs. Limited clarity in these areas ultimately creates uncertainty around the interpretation of findings from research studies and intervention programs. At present there does not appear to be an overarching theoretical framework of children's eating behaviours and associated constructs, or for separate domains of children's eating behaviours/constructs. The main purpose of the present review was to examine the possible theoretical foundations of some of the main current questionnaire and behavioural measures of children's eating behaviours and related constructs.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature on the most prominent measures of children's eating behaviours for use with children aged ~ 0-12 years. We focused on the explanations and justifications for the original design of the measures and whether these included theoretical perspectives, as well as current theoretical interpretations (and difficulties) of the behaviours and constructs.

RESULTS

We found that the most commonly used measures had their foundations in relatively applied or practical concerns rather than theoretical perspectives.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded, consistent with Lumeng & Fisher (1), that although existing measures have served the field well, to advance the field as a science, and better contribute to knowledge development, increased attention should be directed to the conceptual and theoretical foundations of children's eating behaviours and related constructs. Suggestions for future directions are outlined.

Validation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire in Poland

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is increasingly diagnosed in pre-school and early primary school children. Eating styles displayed by the youngest children may contribute to the development of overweight and obesity. Their assessment may be extremely important in diagnosing the causes of obesity, but also in planning treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In view of the need to introduce a tool for assessing eating behaviours in children in Poland, the aim of the study was to develop the Polish adaptation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 151 mothers of children aged 3-10 years (M = 6.77, SD = 2.34), who completed the Polish version of the CEBQ. In order to assess the validity of the questionnaire, a factor analysis was conducted, using the principal components method with the Oblimin rotation and Kaiser normalization. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, its internal consistency was checked by calculating Cronbach's alpha consistency coefficient. The external validity of the CEBQ was also checked by correlating its scales with those of the Temperament Questionnaire (EAS-C).

RESULTS

The principal components analysis extracted an eight-factor scale from the 35 items of the questionnaire in which a total of 60.57% of the common variance was explained. The validity of such an eight-factor solution was confirmed by the Kaiser method. Satisfactorily high values of Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient were obtained (0.78). Positive correlations were found between emotionality and emotional undereating and overeating, between shyness and fussiness and negative correlations between activity and slowness in eating, sociability and fussiness and slowness in eating and between shyness and enjoyment of food.

CONCLUSIONS

The Polish version of the CEBQ is characterized by the acceptable validity and reliability and has a satisfactory criterion accuracy; therefore, it can be used as a psychometric tool to assess eating behaviours in Polish children.