Child-feeding practices among Chinese-American and non-Hispanic white caregivers

This study compared child-feeding and related practices with child weight status between Chinese-American and non-Hispanic white caregivers who attended three community health centers. Study participants were caregivers of 50 Chinese-American and 108 non-Hispanic white children aged 2–12 years who completed a short version of the child feeding questionnaire in English or Chinese. The feeding behaviors assessed were concern, pressure, restriction, and monitoring. Child body mass index (BMI) z-scores were calculated from child weight and height measured in clinic by clinicians trained in anthropometrics. The sample was stratified into 2–5 and 6–12 years age groups to account for developmental differences. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was moderate to high and similar by ethnicity for all four behaviors for Chinese-Americans and non-Hispanic whites. In models adjusted for confounding variables, Chinese-American caregivers had higher mean scores than non-Hispanic white caregivers for concern and restriction in all age groups and monitoring in 2–5 year-olds. No feeding practices were associated with child BMI in Chinese-Americans; concern and restriction were associated with child BMI in non-Hispanic whites in 2–5 year-olds. These results suggest that differences in child-feeding practices exist between Chinese-American and non-Hispanic white caregivers.

► Child-feeding practices were compared between Chinese-American and white caregivers.
► The association of child feeding practices and weight status were also compared.
► Chinese-American caregivers had higher scores for concern and restriction.
► Concern and restriction were associated with child BMI in urban and all (urban and rural) whites.
► Feeding practices were not associated with child BMI in Chinese-Americans.