Mothers and toddlers lunch together. The relation between observed and reported behavior

Many factors are acknowledged as contributing to the current childhood obesity crisis, with the role of parenting style having recently come under scrutiny as researchers have begun to apply behavioral concepts like control and permissiveness to the context of feeding. In the present study, 20 mothers (10 overweight, 10 normal weight) and their 2-year-old offspring were observed eating a lunch under laboratory conditions. Mothers additionally provided demographic information and completed questionnaires regarding weight concerns and feeding styles. Overweight mothers were more concerned about their own weight relative to normal weight mothers but they showed no difference in their feeding behavior nor in their feeding behavior toward their children. Apart from maternal weight, however, aspects of maternal feeding style, namely observed and self-reported restriction and self-reported pressure, were associated with toddler Body Mass Index.

Research highlights► Overweight compared to normal weight women are more concerned about their weight. ► There is little agreement between maternal observation and her responses on the CFQ. ► Toddlers of over and normal weight mothers do not eat more food. ► Maternal concerns for her child's weight is related to her feeding style.