Targeting Feeding and Eating Behaviors: Development of the Feeding Dynamic Intervention for Caregivers of 2- to 5-Year-Old Children

Targeting feeding dynamics,a concept centered on the roles and interaction of the caregiver and child in a feeding relationship,may have significant potential for obesity intervention. the aim of this paper is to describe the 3-phase development of the feeding dynamics intervention (fdi),an acceptability and feasibility study on implementing the feeding dynamic roles (study 1),development of the fdi content (study 2),and a pilot study on use of the 6-lesson fdi to promote behaviors consistent with a feeding dynamic approach (study 3). sample population was mothers with young children,2-5 years old. an effect size (hedges' g) greater than 0.20 was seen in more than half (57%) of maternal feeding behaviors,with the largest effect sizes (hedges' g≥0.8) occurring with behaviors that represent the mother adopting her roles of determining what food is served,not using food as a reward,and not controlling her child's intake. there was a significant decline in pressure to eat behaviors (2.9 versus 2.2,p<0.01) and monitoring (4.1 versus 3.5,p<0.001). the fdi emerged as an acceptable and implementable intervention. future studies need to investigate effects of the fdi on the child's eating behaviors,self-regulation of energy intake,and anthropometrics. © 2015 ihuoma u. eneli et al.