In March 2019 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the association between maternal feeding practices and children’s emotional well-being. A total of 1,241 children, aged 6 years, were involved in the study. Mothers responded to questions on their feeding practices. Approximately 58% of children were assessed to have anxiety and 48% depression. Results showed that those mothers who responded “yes” to “If I did not guide or regulate my child’s eating, he or she would eat too much of his or her favorite food” were more likely to have a child with symptoms of depression and anxiety than mothers who responded “no”, whilst those mothers who responded “yes” to “I encourage my 6 year-old to eat all of the food on his or her plate” were more likely to have a child with symptoms of anxiety than mothers who responded “no”. In addition, those mothers who responded “yes” to “I make sure that my child does not eat too many sweets or junk foods” were less likely to have a child with symptoms of depression than mothers who responded “no”.
Flahive S et al. Association Between Maternal Feeding Practices and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among 6-Year-Old Children. Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2019 Mar 29;13:1179556519839334