Effects of Maternal Feeding Style and Child Eating Behaviors on Body Mass Index in Young Children in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Family Lifestyle Outcomes Research Study.

Background: Children's eating behaviors influence weight, but the relationships among children's eating behaviors, caregiver feeding styles, and modifying maternal and child factors remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations between 1) child eating behaviors and body mass index (BMI) z-scores, and 2) caregiver feeding style and child eating behaviors. Methods: Data from 290 Hispanic mother-child dyads (children aged 3-9 y) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Family Lifestyle Outcomes Research cohort were analyzed cross-sectionally. Child eating behaviors, caregiver feeding styles, and child BMI z-scores were assessed. Linear regression examined: 1) child eating behaviors and BMI z-scores, and 2) caregiver feeding styles and child eating behaviors. Models adjusted for maternal marital status, prepregnancy BMI, child health, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program status, poverty level, and study site. Results: Higher child food responsiveness [β = 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.32] and enjoyment of food (β = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.33) were associated with higher BMI z-scores, while greater satiety responsiveness (β = -0.23; 95% CI: -0.42, -0.04) was associated with lower BMI z-score. Authoritarian feeding style was associated with a lower enjoyment of food (β = -0.72; 95% CI: -1.06, -0.38), greater food fussiness (β = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.76), greater satiety responsiveness (β = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.84), and greater slowness in eating (β = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.76). An indulgent feeding style was associated with a lower desire to drink (β = -0.52; 95% CI: -0.90, -0.13), lower satiety responsiveness (β = -0.36; 95% CI: -0.65, -0.10), and lower emotional undereating (β = -0.55, 95% CI: -0.84, -0.25). An uninvolved feeding style was associated with lower emotional undereating (β = -0.63; 95% CI: -0.97, -0.29). Conclusions: Child food approach behaviors correlate with higher BMI. Findings on caregiver feeding styles and child eating behaviors show complex, sometimes unexpected patterns, highlighting the need for further interdisciplinary research.