Children’s Eating Behavior, Feeding Practices of Parents and Weight Problems in Early Childhood: Results From the Population-Based Generation R Study.

Children’s eating behavior, feeding practices of parents and weight problems in early childhood: results from the population-based Generation R Study.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2012 Oct 30; 9(1): 130
Jansen PW, Roza SJ, Jaddoe VW, Mackenbach JD, Raat H, Hofman A, Verhulst FC, Tiemeier H

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Weight problems that arise in the first years of life tend to persist. Behavioral research in this period can provide information on the modifiable etiology of unhealthy weight. The present study aimed to replicate findings from previous small-scale studies by examining whether different aspects of preschooler’s eating behavior and parental feeding practices are associated with body mass index (BMI) and weight status -including underweight, overweight and obesity- in a population sample of preschool children. METHODS: Cross-sectional data on the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, Child Feeding Questionnaire and objectively measured BMI was available for 4987 four-year-olds participating in a population-based cohort in the Netherlands. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of the preschoolers had underweight, 8% overweight, and 2% obesity. Higher levels of children’s Food Responsiveness, Enjoyment of Food and parental Restriction were associated with a higher mean BMI independent of measured confounders. Emotional Undereating, Satiety Responsiveness and Fussiness of children as well as parents’ Pressure to Eat were negatively related with children’s BMI. Similar trends were found with BMI categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity. Part of the association between children’s eating behaviors and BMI was accounted for by parental feeding practices (changes in effect estimates: 20-43%), while children’s eating behaviors in turn explained part of the relation between parental feeding and child BMI (changes in effect estimates: 33-47%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important information by showing how young children’s eating behaviors and parental feeding patterns differ between children with normal weight, underweight and overweight. The high prevalence of under- and overweight among preschoolers suggest prevention interventions targeting unhealthy weights should start early in life. Although longitudinal studies are necessary to ascertain causal directions, efforts to prevent or treat unhealthy child weight might benefit from a focus on changing the behaviors of both children and their parents.
HubMed – eating

 

Survey of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish and fish products.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Lipids Health Dis. 2012 Oct 30; 11(1): 144
Strobel C, Jahreis G, Kuhnt K

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The imbalance of the n-3/n-6 ratio in the Western diet is characterised by a low intake of n-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA and a concurrent high intake of n-6 PUFA. Fish, in particular marine fish, is a unique source of n-3 LC PUFA. However, FA composition of consumed fish changed, due to the increasing usage of n-6 PUFA-rich vegetable oils in aquaculture feed and in fish processing (frying) which both lead to a further shift in n-6 PUFA to the detriment of n-3 LC PUFA.The aim of this study was to determine the ratio of n-3/n-6 including the contents of EPA and DHA in fish fillets and fish products from the German market (n=123). Furthermore, the study focussed on the FA content in farmed salmon compared to wild salmon as well as in processed Alaska pollock fillet, e.g., fish fingers. RESULTS: Total fat and FA content in fish products varied considerably depending on fish species, feed management, and food processing. Mackerel, herring and trout fillets characteristically contained adequate dietary amounts of absolute EPA and DHA, due to their high fat contents. However, despite a lower fat content, tuna, pollock, and Alaska pollock can contribute considerable amounts of EPA and DHA to the human supply.Farmed salmon are an appropriate source of EPA and DHA owing to their higher fat content compared to wild salmon (12.3 vs. 2.1 wt %), however with elevated SFA, n-9 and n-6 FA contents representing the use of vegetable oils and oilseeds in aquaculture feed. The n-3/n-6 ratio was deteriorated (2.9 vs. 12.4) but still acceptable. Compared to pure fish fillets, breaded and pre-fried Alaska pollock fillet contained extraordinarily high fat and n-6 PUFA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Since fish species vary with respect to their n-3 LC PUFA contents, eating a variety of fish is advisable. High n-6 PUFA containing pre-fried fish support the imbalance of n-3/n-6 ratio in the Western diet. Thus, consumption of pure fish fillets is to be favoured. The lower n-3 PUFA portion in farmed fish can be offset by the higher fat content, however, with an unfavourable FA distribution compared to wild fellows.
HubMed – eating

 

Cancer chemotherapy: with or without food?

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Support Care Cancer. 2010; 18 Suppl 2: 13-6
Jatoi A

INTRODUCTION: Over the past few years, new chemotherapy agents have emerged, and several are oral. This review attempts to highlight the challenges associated with the interactions between food and chemotherapy, both oral and intravenous. DISCUSSION: It provides tentative answers to three questions. Does oral chemotherapy bestow adverse effects derived from its oral administration, as related to food or taste? What instruction should health care providers give patients about food ingestion prior to prescribing oral chemotherapy? How should we counsel patients about eating before intravenous chemotherapy?
HubMed – eating

 


 

Understanding Eating Disorders – Thomas Insel, MD, Director of NIMH talks about eating disorder research.

 

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