Resemblance of Dinner Meal Consumption among Mother and Preschool-Aged Child Dyads from Families with Limited Incomes

Theresa A. Nicklas; Carol E.  O’Neil; Sheryl O. Hughes; Yan Liu

doi:10.6000/1929-4247.2013.02.02.12

Authors

Theresa A. Nicklas Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Houston, 1100 Bates Ave, Texas 77030, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7019-8356
Carol E. O’Neil School of Human Ecology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 261 Knapp Hall, 110 LSU Union Square, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
Sheryl O. Hughes Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Houston, 1100 Bates Ave, Texas 77030, USA
Yan Liu Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Houston, 1100 Bates Ave, Texas 77030, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2013.02.02.12

Keywords:

Preschoolers diets, dinner meal, low-income families, parental influence

Abstract

Parents’ eating habits are associated with food and nutrient intake of their children; yet, the associations have not always been very strong. The objective of this study was to expand the current literature to include an examination of resemblance in intakes of foods, within the context of a meal, among mother and preschool-aged child dyads from families of limited incomes. Mother-child dyads (n=112; 41% Hispanic and 59% African-American) participated in the study. During the two home observations of each mother-child dyad, a digital photography method plus actual weighing of plate waste was used to assess the amount of food served and consumed by the mothers and children. There were significant correlations between the mother-child dyad intakes of food/beverages consumed at the dinner meal; ranging from 0.298 (total beverages, p<0.01) to 0.687 (100% fruit juice or milk, p<0.01). There was a significant linear association between the amount of total food/beverages served and the amount consumed for both the mothers (R²=0.72, p<0.0001) and the children (R²=0.55, p<0.0001). Mothers-children who were served larger amounts of total food/beverages consumed more. There was a positive association (p<0.05) between the amount of total energy consumed in the mother-child dyads. Portion sizes may be an important strategy that can be used by parents to promote intake of fruits and vegetables and to decrease intake of energy-dense foods. It is important that food and nutrition professionals provide the guidance needed that encourages intake of major food groups in mothers so they can model healthier food consumption behaviors for their children.

References

Golan M, Crow S. Parents are key players in the prevention and treatment of weight-related problems. Nutr Rev 2004; 62: 39-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2004.tb00005.x

Savage JS, Fisher JO, Birch LL. Parental influence on eating behavior: conception to adolescence. J Law Med Ethics 2007; 35: 22-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-720X.2007.00111.x

Anzman SL, Rollins BY, Birch LL. Parental influence on children's early eating environments and obesity risk: implications for prevention. Int J Obes (Lond) 2010; 34: 1116-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.43

Wang Y, Beydoun M, Li J, Liu Y, Moreno L. Do children and their parents eat a similar diet? Resemblance in child parent dietary intake; systematic review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health 2011; 65: 177-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.095901

Patrick H, Nicklas TA. A review of family and social determinants of children's eating patterns and diet quality. J Am Coll Nutr 2005; 24: 83-92.

Wroten KC, O'Neil CE, Stuff JE, Liu Y, Nicklas TA. Resemblance of dietary intakes of snacks, sweets, fruit, and vegetables among mother-child dyads from low income families. Appetite 2012; 59: 316-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.05.014

Birch LL, Fisher JO. Development of eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Pediatrics 1998; 101: 539-49.

Oliveria SA, Ellison RC, Moore LL, Gillman MW, Garrahie EJ, Singer MR. Parent-child relationships in nutrient intake: the Framingham Children's Study. Am J Clin Nutr 1992; 56: 593-8.

Beydoun MA, Wang Y. Parent-child dietary intake resemblance in the United States: evidence from a large representative survey. Soc Sci Med 2009; 68: 2137-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.03.029

Hart CN, Raynor HA, Jelalian E, Drotar D. The association of maternal food intake and infants' and toddlers' food intake. Child Care Health Dev 2010; 36: 396-403. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2010.01072.x

Busick D, Brooks J, Pernecky S, Dawson R, Petzoldt J. Parent food purchases as a measure of exposure and preschool-aged children's willingness to identify and taste fruit and vegetables. Appetite 2008; 51: 468-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2008.01.013

Sutherland LA, Beavers DP, Kupper LL, Bernhardt AM, Heatherton T, Dalton MA. Like parent, like child: child food and beverage choices during role playing. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008; 162: 1063-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.162.11.1063

Wang Y, Li J, Caballero B. Resemblance in dietary intakes between urban low-income African-American adolescents and their mothers: the Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles from School to Home for Kids study. J Am Diet Assoc 2009; 109: 52-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2008.10.009

Rossow I, Rise J. Concordance of parental and adolescent health behaviors. Soc Sci Med 1994; 38: 1299-305. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(94)90193-7

Stafleu A, Van Staveren WA, de Graaf C, Burema J, Hautvast JG. Family resemblance in energy, fat, and cholesterol intake: a study among three generations of women. Prev Med 1994; 23: 474-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/pmed.1994.1065

Vauthier JM, Lluch A, Lecomte E, Artur Y, Herbeth B. Family resemblance in energy and macronutrient intakes: the Stanislas Family Study. Int J Epidemiol 1996; 25: 1030-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/25.5.1030

Laskarzewski P, Morrison JA, Khoury P, Kelly K, Glatfelter L, Larsen R, et al. Parent-child nutrient intake interrelationships in school children ages 6 to 19: the Princeton School District Study. Am J Clin Nutr 1980; 33: 2350-5.

Fisher JO, Mitchell DC, Smiciklas-Wright H, Birch LL. Parental influences on young girls' fruit and vegetable, micronutrient, and fat intakes. J Am Diet Assoc 2002; 102: 58-64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(02)90017-9

Hoerr SL, Nicklas TA, Liu Y. Predictors of calcium intake at dinner meals of ethnically diverse mother-child dyads from families with limited incomes. J Am Diet Assoc 2009; 109: 1744-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.07.009

Fisher JO, Mitchell DC, Smiciklas-Wright H, Birch LL. Maternal milk consumption predicts the tradeoff between milk and soft drinks in young girls' diets. J Nutr 2001; 131: 246-50.

Martin CK, Correa JB, Han H, Allen HR, Champagne CM, Gunturk BK, et al. Validity of the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM) for estimating energy and nutrient intake in near real-time. Obes (Silver Springs) 2012; 20: 891-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/oby.2011.344

Martin CK, Han H, Coulon S, Allen HR, Champagne CM, Anton SD. A novel method to remotely measure food intake of free-living individuals in real time: the remote food photography method. Br J Nutr 2009; 101: 446-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114508027438

Nicklas TA, O'Neil C, Stuff J, Goodell LS, Liu Y, Martin C. Validity and feasibility of a digital diet method for use with preschool children: A Pilot Study. J Nutr Educ Behav 2012; 44: 618-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2011.12.001

Martin CK, Newton RL Jr., Anton SD, Allen HR, Alfonso A, Han H, et al. Measurement of children's food intake with digital photography and the effects of second servings upon food intake. Eat Behav 2007; 8: 148-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2006.03.003

Goodell LS, Tsuei E, Hughes S, Nicklas T. Validation of the use of digital photography for estimating portion sizes. FASEB Journal 2008; 22.

Williamson DA, Allen HR, Martin PD, Alfonso A, Gerald B, Hunt A. Digital photography: a new method for estimating food intake in cafeteria settings. Eat Weight Disord 2004; 9: 24-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(03)00974-X

Williamson DA, Allen HR, Martin PD, Alfonso AJ, Gerald B, Hunt A. Comparison of digital photography to weighed and visual estimation of portion sizes. J Am Diet Assoc 2003; 103: 1139-45.

Williamson DA, Martin PD, Allen HR, Most MM, Alfonso AJ, Thomas V, et al. Changes in food intake and body weight associated with basic combat training. Mil Med 2002; 167: 248-53.

Martin CK, Nicklas TA, Gunturk BK, Correa JB, Allen HR, Champagne C. Measuring food intake with digital photography. J Hum Nutr Dietet In Press.

Lohman TG, Roche AF, Martorell R. Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual. Human Kinetics Books, Champaign, IL. 1988.

Kuczmarski RJ, Ogden CL, Guo SS, Grummer-Strawn LM, Flegal KM, Mei Z, et al. 2000 CDC Growth Charts for the United States: methods and development. Vital Health Stat, 11 2002: 1-190.

Cohen J. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates 1988.

Sen B. Frequency of family dinner and adolescent body weight status: Evidence from the national longitudinal survey of youth. Obesity 1997; 14: 2266-76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/oby.2006.266

Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Perry C, Casey MA. Factors influencing food choices of adolescents: findings from focus- group discussions with adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc 1999; 99: 929-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(99)00222-9

Kelsey KS, Campbell MK, Vanata DF. Parent and adolescent girls' preferences for parental involvement in adolescent health promotion programs. J Am Diet Assoc 1998; 98: 906-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(98)00207-7

Hannon P, Bowen D, Moinpour C, McLerran D. Correlations in perceived food use between the family food preparer and their spouses and children. Appetite 2003; 40: 77-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0195-6663(02)00140-X

Gillman MW, Rifas-Shiman SL, Frazier AL, Rockett HR, Camargo CA Jr., Field AE, et al. Family dinner and diet quality among older children and adolescents. Arch Fam Med 2000; 9: 235-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archfami.9.3.235

Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan PJ, Story M, Croll J, Perry C. Family meal patterns: associations with sociodemographic characteristics and improved dietary intake among adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc 2003; 103: 317-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/jada.2003.50048

Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan PJ, Story M. Family meals during adolescence are associated with higher diet quality and healthful meal patterns during young adulthood. J Am Diet Assoc 2007; 107: 1502-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2007.06.012

Sweetman C, McGowan L, Croker H, Cooke L. Characteristics of family mealtimes affecting children's vegetable consumption and liking. J Am Diet Assoc 2011; 111: 269-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2010.10.050

Videon TM, Manning CK. Influences on adolescent eating patterns: the importance of family meals. J Adolesc Health 2003; 32: 365-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00711-5

Woodruff SJ, Hanning RM. A review of family meal influence on adolescents' dietary intake. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research 2008; 69: 14-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.3148/69.1.2008.14

Rollins BY, Belue RZ, Francis LA. The beneficial effect of family meals on obesity differs by race, sex, and household education: the national survey of children's health, 2003-2004. J Am Diet Assoc 2010; 110: 1335-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2010.06.004

Fiese B, Schwartz M. Reclaiming the Family Table: Mealtimes and Child Health and Wellbeing. Social Policy Report: A Publication of the Society for Research in Child Development 2008; 22: 3-22.

Helaine R, Rockett H. Family Dinner Meal: More than Just a Meal. J Am Diet Assoc 2007; 107: 1498-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2007.07.004

Nicklas TA, Morales M, Linares A, Yang SJ, Baranowski T, De Moor C, et al. Children's meal patterns have changed over a 21-year period: the Bogalusa Heart Study. J Am Diet Assoc 2004; 104: 753-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2004.02.030

Luntz. Luntz Research Companies. CASA surveys of teens, parents, teachers, and principals. Roper Center at University of Connecticutt Public Opinion Online. Cited in LexisNexis [database online]. Dayton, OH; http://www.casacolumbia.org/ templates/Publications.aspx?articleid=320&zoneid=52. (Accessed March 29, 2013). 1997.

Gallup. The Gallup Organization. Food, Physical Activity and Fun; What Kids Think. Chicago, IL: The American Dietetic Association National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics, The International Food Information Council, and The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. http://books.google. com/books/about/Food_Physical_Activity_and_Fun.html?id=W4P_XwAACAAJ. (Accessed March 29, 2013). 1995.

Princeton. Princeton Survey Research Associates. State of the Union Mother's Day Poll. Roper Center at University of Connecticutt Public Opinion Online. Cited in LexisNexis [database online]. Dayton, OH; http://www.people-press.org/1997/05/09/state-of-the-union-mothers-day-poll/. (Accessed March 29, 2013) 1997.

USDA. Agricultural Research Service. Away from Home: Percentages of Selected Nutrients Contributed by Foods Eaten Away from Home, by Gender and Age. What we eat in America: NHANES 2007-2008. Available at: http://www.ars. usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=18349. (Accessed January 22, 2013). 2010.

Rolls BJ, Engell D, Birch LL. Serving portion size influences 5-year-old but not 3-year-old children's food intakes. J Am Diet Assoc 2000; 100: 232-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00070-5

Fisher JO, Arreola A, Birch LL, Rolls BJ. Portion size effects on daily energy intake in low-income Hispanic and African American children and their mothers. Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 86: 1709-16.

Fisher JO, Rolls BJ, Birch LL. Children's bite size and intake of an entree are greater with large portions than with age-appropriate or self-selected portions. Am J Clin Nutr 2003; 77: 1164-70.

Fisher JO, Liu Y, Birch LL, Rolls BJ. Effects of portion size and energy density on young children's intake at a meal. Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 86: 174-9.

Fisher JO. Effects of age on children's intake of large and self-selected food portions. Obes (Silver Spring) 2007; 15: 403-12.

USDA. Agricultural Research Service. Dinner: Percentages of Selected Nutrients Contributed by Foods at Dinner, by Gender and Age, What we eat in America: NHANES 2007-2008. http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid= 18349. (Accessed March 29, 2013). 2010.

Mathias K, Rolls B, Birch L, Kral T, Hanna E, Davey A, et al. Serving Larger Portions of Fruits and Vegetables Together at Dinner Promotes Intake of Both Foods among Young Children. J Acad Nutr Diet 2012; 112: 266-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2011.08.040

Nicklas T, O'Neil C, Stuff J, Liu Y, Hughes S. Characterizing dinner meals served and consumed by preschool children in Head Start. Childhood Obesity 2012; 8: 467-77.

Gardner F. Methodological issues in the direct observation of parent-child interaction: Do observational findings reflect the natural behavior of participants? Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2000; 3: 185-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009503409699