Parental Feeding Behaviors and Weight-Related Concerns in Children With Special Needs. West J Nurs Res 2017 Aug;39(8):1070-1093
Date
03/23/2017Pubmed ID
28322650DOI
10.1177/0193945916687994Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85023615332 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 27 CitationsAbstract
Parental feeding behaviors and concern about child weight are associated with obesity among youth who are typically developing. Little is known about this relationship among parents of youth with special needs, despite these children having higher obesity risk. This study used an online survey to explore associations among parental feeding behaviors, parent weight concerns, demographics, and child weight status in a sample of 356 parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, spina bifida, and Down syndrome. Specific parental feeding behaviors were significantly related to the child's weight and intensified when the parent was concerned about the child's weight. Child's diagnosis, family income, parent age, and parent gender influenced select feeding behaviors. Obesity has significant health ramifications and negatively affects an individual's ability to self-manage, which is crucial in individuals with special needs. These findings present an opportunity for the health care community to educate and promote healthy feeding practices in this vulnerable population.
Author List
Polfuss M, Simpson P, Neff Greenley R, Zhang L, Sawin KJAuthor
Pippa M. Simpson PhD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAutism Spectrum Disorder
Body Mass Index
Child
Child, Preschool
Disabled Children
Down Syndrome
Feeding Behavior
Female
Humans
Internet
Male
Obesity
Parent-Child Relations
Parenting
Socioeconomic Factors
Spina Bifida Occulta
Surveys and Questionnaires
