Feeding Styles and the Body Weight Status of Preschool-aged Children

Abstract Early-onset pediatric obesity has become a major health concern in the United States. One of the key contributing factors to early-onset childhood obesity is how children are socialized to the eating and mealtime environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which maternal feeding styles influenced the child's actual weight. The study used a descriptive correlational research design. Ten pediatric experts classified the authoritative feeding style as healthy. The maternal behavior of the authoritative feeding style was significantly associated with healthy behaviors in the child.