TY - JOUR
T1 - A review of the influence of fathers on children's eating behaviours and dietary intake
AU - Rahill, Stephanie
AU - Kennedy, Aileen
AU - Kearney, John
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2020/4/1
Y1 - 2020/4/1
N2 - The role of fathers in child rearing has changed in recent years due to an increase in maternal employment. Despite this, the majority of research has focused on maternal influences and behaviours in relation to child feeding. Therefore, the aims of the narrative review were: 1) to examine the role and responsibility of fathers in child feeding and the factors associated with paternal responsibility in child feeding; 2) to establish how paternal modelling, paternal diets, and paternal feeding practices relate to children's eating behaviours and dietary intake; and 3) to explore the role of maternal perceptions on paternal feeding roles, as well as how maternal and paternal behaviours relate to children's dietary intake. Firstly, given the limited research, no conclusions can be drawn in relation to the factors associated with fathers' roles. An association with child's gender and age as potential drivers of paternal mealtime behaviours was observed, however more longitudinal research is necessary. In addition, research suggests that the majority of fathers have some responsibility in feeding their child, however, mothers are the primary caregiver and somewhat dictate the level of responsibilities fathers have. Interactions during mealtimes between fathers and their child can both positively and negatively influence children's long-term eating behaviours. Inconsistencies in the literature still prevail in terms of whether the child's diet resembles his fathers or mothers more, however, overall family resemblance is evident. Differences exist between maternal & paternal feeding practices with more coercive feeding practices reported by fathers, suggesting they are a more authoritarian figure during mealtimes than mothers. Overall, it is clear that interventions need to adopt a whole-family approach when tackling children's lifestyle behaviours in order to address the differential influence of both parents.
AB - The role of fathers in child rearing has changed in recent years due to an increase in maternal employment. Despite this, the majority of research has focused on maternal influences and behaviours in relation to child feeding. Therefore, the aims of the narrative review were: 1) to examine the role and responsibility of fathers in child feeding and the factors associated with paternal responsibility in child feeding; 2) to establish how paternal modelling, paternal diets, and paternal feeding practices relate to children's eating behaviours and dietary intake; and 3) to explore the role of maternal perceptions on paternal feeding roles, as well as how maternal and paternal behaviours relate to children's dietary intake. Firstly, given the limited research, no conclusions can be drawn in relation to the factors associated with fathers' roles. An association with child's gender and age as potential drivers of paternal mealtime behaviours was observed, however more longitudinal research is necessary. In addition, research suggests that the majority of fathers have some responsibility in feeding their child, however, mothers are the primary caregiver and somewhat dictate the level of responsibilities fathers have. Interactions during mealtimes between fathers and their child can both positively and negatively influence children's long-term eating behaviours. Inconsistencies in the literature still prevail in terms of whether the child's diet resembles his fathers or mothers more, however, overall family resemblance is evident. Differences exist between maternal & paternal feeding practices with more coercive feeding practices reported by fathers, suggesting they are a more authoritarian figure during mealtimes than mothers. Overall, it is clear that interventions need to adopt a whole-family approach when tackling children's lifestyle behaviours in order to address the differential influence of both parents.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85076108586&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104540
DO - 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104540
M3 - Review article
C2 - 31783065
AN - SCOPUS:85076108586
SN - 0195-6663
VL - 147
JO - Appetite
JF - Appetite
M1 - 104540
ER -