The relationship between parental attitudes and children's eating habits

The influence of parents on children's eating habits and behaviors is of great importance. The role of parents is critical in preventing the development of negative habits and behaviors related to nutrition and protecting children from their possible consequences. Giving children self-control in eating behavior can be realized under the guidance of parents. This study was conducted with parents with children aged 4-6 years living in Ankara province in order to examine the factors affecting parents' behaviors towards feeding their children, the factors affecting the eating behaviors of preschool children, and the relationship between parents' attitudes and behaviors while feeding their children and children's eating behaviors. In the study, it was found that the characteristics of the parents such as age, gender, educational status, and employment status affected their behaviors towards feeding their children. In the study, no relationship was found between BMI z score and children's eating behaviors, but various feeding practices of parents and children's eating behaviors such as food enthusiasm, food enjoyment, satiety enthusiasm, emotional overeating, emotional under-eating, passion for drinking, slow eating and food selectivity were found to be statistically significant. A strong relationship was found between the emotional feeding style used by parents and food craving and emotional overeating behaviors in children. In addition, parents' insistent eating behaviors were associated with slow eating and emotional under-eating behaviors in children. It is recommended to develop education and policies for parents aiming positive eating behaviors in children.