Controlling feeding practices mediate the association between food insecurity and parent-reported child BMI percentile

Abstract

Although literature is mixed, some research suggests that food insecurity likely predicts obesity beginning in childhood. Child feeding practices may be one possible mechanism for this association. Parents of children ages 7–17 (n = 790) completed the USDA Core Food Security Module and the Child Feeding Questionnaire. Child BMI percentile was calculated using parent-reported child height and weight. Restrictive and controlling feeding practices each mediated the association between food insecurity and child BMI percentile, controlling for familial income and child age. Findings from this preliminary study suggest that feeding practices may be one mechanism through which food insecurity is related to obesity.