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Predictors of maternal control of feeding at 1 and 2 years of age

International Journal of Obesity volume 31, pages 1520–1526 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To establish the best predictors of maternal use of controlling feeding practices at 1 and 2 years of age.

Design:

A longitudinal study from birth to 2 years.

Participants:

Sixty-two mothers of 2-year-old children.

Measures:

Infant weight at birth, 6, 12 and 24 months, breastfeeding history, infant temperament and feeding difficulties at 6 and 12 months, maternal demographics at 12 and 24 months, maternal mental health at 6 and 12 months, maternal controlling feeding practices at 12 and 24 months.

Results:

Controlling feeding practices at 1 year were predicted by perceptions of infant temperament at 6 months, birth weight, length of breastfeeding, mental health at 6 months, and mealtime negativity at 6 months. Parental control over feeding when their child reached 2 years was predicted by the mother's tendency to use that particular strategy at 1 year in combination with the perceptions of infant temperament and feeding problems at 1 year, weight at 1 year, length of breastfeeding in infancy, and/or maternal mental health at 1 year.

Conclusions:

Breastfeeding appears to promote subsequent monitoring, and is associated with reduced use of pressurising and restrictive feeding practices. Infant characteristics are important predictors of control at both 1 and 2 years of age. The use of controlling feeding practices is relatively stable from 1 to 2 years.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    J Blissett

  2. School of Psychology, Keele University, Keele, UK

    C Farrow

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  1. J Blissett
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  2. C Farrow
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Correspondence to J Blissett.

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Blissett, J., Farrow, C. Predictors of maternal control of feeding at 1 and 2 years of age. Int J Obes 31, 1520–1526 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803661

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