Abstract
Caregivers' feeding practices are critical in shaping preschool children's eating habits
and preventing childhood obesity. We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis to evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions targeting caregivers of
preschool children, which aimed to promote child healthy eating and/or manage child
weight and/or prevent child nutrition-related problems and included feeding practices as one of the outcomes. Eighteen studies with 18 intervention programs and
3887 respondents that completed baseline evaluations were eligible for data synthesis. Behavior change techniques (BCTs) frequently used included the following:
instruction on how to perform the behavior and demonstration of the behavior. The
pooled effects of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pressure to eat (pooled
standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.61; 95%CI: 1.16, 0.06), use of food as a
reward (pooled SMD = 0.31; 95%CI: 0.61, 0.01), and emotional feeding (pooled
SMD = 0.36; 95%CI: 0.66, 0.06) were found statistically significant compared
with control groups at post-intervention. However, there were no pooled effects on
restrictive feeding and pressure to eat at other follow-ups or on other feeding practices at post-intervention. Interventions may have short-term effects on decreasing
the adoption of coercive control. Future interventions should directly and adequately
optimize feeding practices, include components of individual support, and contribute
to the maintenance of the effects over the long term.
and preventing childhood obesity. We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis to evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions targeting caregivers of
preschool children, which aimed to promote child healthy eating and/or manage child
weight and/or prevent child nutrition-related problems and included feeding practices as one of the outcomes. Eighteen studies with 18 intervention programs and
3887 respondents that completed baseline evaluations were eligible for data synthesis. Behavior change techniques (BCTs) frequently used included the following:
instruction on how to perform the behavior and demonstration of the behavior. The
pooled effects of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pressure to eat (pooled
standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.61; 95%CI: 1.16, 0.06), use of food as a
reward (pooled SMD = 0.31; 95%CI: 0.61, 0.01), and emotional feeding (pooled
SMD = 0.36; 95%CI: 0.66, 0.06) were found statistically significant compared
with control groups at post-intervention. However, there were no pooled effects on
restrictive feeding and pressure to eat at other follow-ups or on other feeding practices at post-intervention. Interventions may have short-term effects on decreasing
the adoption of coercive control. Future interventions should directly and adequately
optimize feeding practices, include components of individual support, and contribute
to the maintenance of the effects over the long term.
Original language | English |
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Journal | OBESITY REVIEWS |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - 21 Nov 2023 |