School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Appetite. 2022 Jun 1;173:106000. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106000. Epub 2022 Mar 9.
'Fussy eating' behaviours are associated with increased mealtime stress, fewer family meals, and are considered a barrier to improving children's diets. A better understanding of these behaviours is critical to enable families to have more nutritious and enjoyable meals. Children's perspectives have not been adequately reported due to parents being seen as sufficient proxies in the past, and ethical challenges associated with carrying out research with children. 'Fussy eating' research has shifted to a bi-directional relational model, calling for deeper insight into how children experience, and contribute to, feeding dynamics. This study aims to explore 1) how 'fussy eating' behaviours are perceived, experienced and managed by children and 2) how children experience feeding dynamics relating to these behaviours. Qualitative interviews were conducted using visual tools and vignettes. Participants included 16 children aged 7-10 years. Children did not have to be considered 'fussy eaters' to participate and represented a wide range of Food Fussiness scores on the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire reported by parents. Thematic analysis generated three themes: 1) Paradoxical Perceptions: 'Normal', yet 'Bad' Behaviour; 2) Grappling with Internal Experience and External Expectations and 3) Navigating Food Refusal and Managing Dislikes. The conceptualisation of 'fussy eating' as 'bad' behaviour likely contributes to mealtimes stress. Children described tension between their internal experiences with food (sensory and emotional) and external expectations on their eating. Children are acutely aware of their parents' goals, emotions and practices at mealtimes. In light of these parental expectations, children develop their own strategies for navigating food refusal, negotiating with parents and overcoming dislikes. This study highlights the need to listen to children and work with them to develop meaningful, relevant and effective eating interventions.
“挑食”行为与用餐时的压力增加、家庭用餐减少有关，被认为是改善儿童饮食的障碍。更好地了解这些行为对于使家庭能够享用更有营养和愉快的餐食至关重要。由于过去父母被视为足够的代表，并且与儿童进行研究相关的伦理挑战，因此儿童的观点没有得到充分报道。“挑食”研究已经转向双向关系模型，呼吁更深入地了解儿童如何体验和促成喂养动态。本研究旨在探讨 1）儿童如何感知、体验和管理“挑食”行为，以及 2）儿童如何体验与这些行为相关的喂养动态。采用视觉工具和小插图进行了定性访谈。参与者包括 16 名 7-10 岁的儿童。儿童不必被认为是“挑食者”即可参加，并且代表了父母报告的儿童饮食行为问卷中广泛的食物挑剔分数。主题分析产生了三个主题：1）矛盾的看法：“正常”但“不良”的行为；2）应对内部体验和外部期望；3）应对食物拒绝和管理不喜欢。将“挑食”概念化为“不良”行为可能会增加用餐时的压力。孩子们描述了他们对食物的内部体验（感官和情感）与对他们饮食的外部期望之间的紧张关系。孩子们敏锐地意识到他们父母在吃饭时的目标、情绪和做法。鉴于这些父母的期望，孩子们会制定自己的策略来应对食物拒绝、与父母协商并克服不喜欢。本研究强调需要倾听孩子的意见，并与他们合作制定有意义、相关和有效的饮食干预措施。
