Life Sciences Commons^™

Knowledge And Use Of Paced Bottle-Feeding Among Mothers Of Young Infants, Alison K. Ventura, Vivian M. Drewelow

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: To describe mothers’ awareness and use of paced bottle-feeding (PBF) and to investigate whether the use of PBF was associated with maternal characteristics and infant feeding practices.

Methods: Cross-sectional, online survey. Participants were mothers of infants < 12 months of age (n =197). Participants self-reported their awareness and use of PBF, demographic characteristics, and infant feeding practices.

Results: Of the 41% of participants who indicated they had or maybe had heard of PBF, 23% used PBF and 35% sometimes used PBF. Use of PBF was not associated with mother or infant characteristics. Participants who used PBF were significantly less likely to encourage their infant to finish the bottle (odds ratio,0.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.01−0.79).

Conclusions and Implications: Paced bottle-feeding was …

Maternal Responsiveness And Toddler Body Mass Index Z-Score: Prospective Analysis Of Maternal And Child Mealtime Interactions, C. N. Hart, Suzanne Phelan, D. L. Coffman, E. Jelalian, Alison K. Ventura, E. A. Hodges, N. Hawley, J. O. Fisher, R. R. Wing

Kinesiology and Public Health

Responsive feeding, where parents are guided by children's hunger and satiation cues and provide appropriate structure and support for eating, is believed to promote healthier weight status. However, few studies have assessed prospective associations between observed parental feeding and toddler growth. We characterized toddler growth from 18 to 36 months and, in a subset of families, examined whether observed maternal responsiveness to toddler satiation cues and encouraging prompts to eat at 18 and 24 months were associated with toddler body mass index z-score (BMIz) from 18 to 36 months. Participants included 163 toddlers and their mothers with overweight/obesity who had …

Infant Age Moderates Associations Between Infant Temperament And Maternal Technology Use During Infant Feeding And Care, Maya I. Davis, Camille M. Delfosse, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Previous research illustrated that infants’ temperamental traits shape parents’ behaviors, but parents’ behaviors can also elicit or intensify infants’ behaviors in ways that shape temperament. One understudied aspect of parenting that may exhibit bidirectional influences with temperament is parent technology use (e.g., use of mobile devices) within family contexts. To date, few studies have examined whether maternal technology use is associated with infant temperament and whether age-related differences in these associations exist. The present study was a secondary analysis of pooled data from three infant feeding studies. Mothers (n = 374) of young infants (age 16.2 ± 6.2 weeks) …

Associations Between Parenting Stress, Parent Feeding Practices, And Perceptions Of Child Eating Behaviors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lupita Maria González, Amy Lammert, Suzanne Phelan, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

The aim of this study was to explore associations between parenting stress, feeding practices, and perceptions of children's eating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents (n = 284) of children ages 4–6 years completed a cross-sectional online survey during the onset of pandemic-related stay-at-home mandates in the U.S. Parents reported current levels of parenting stress, feeding practices, and child eating behaviors. Parents also reported whether parenting stress had increased, stayed the same, or decreased since prior to the onset of pandemic-related stay-at-home mandates. Greater levels of parenting stress were associated with less desirable feeding practices, including greater odds of …

Strategies To Promote Responsive Bottle-Feeding In Wic Predict Less Frequent Use Of Food To Soothe And Healthier Weight Status For Infants With Negative Temperaments, Alison K. Ventura, Shannon E. Whaley

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Infants with greater temperamental negative affectivity are at higher risk for overfeeding and excess weight gain.

Objective: To examine whether strategies to promote responsive bottle-feeding within WIC promoted healthier maternal feeding practices and infant weight status among infants with greater negative affectivity.

Methods: Secondary analysis of data from a matched-pair cluster randomized trial. Policy, systems and environmental change (PSE) strategies to promote responsive bottle-feeding were implemented at three WIC clinics; these clinics were compared with three matched control clinics. Linear mixed models tested whether infant negative affectivity interacted with PSE strategies to predict feeding and weight outcomes when infants …

Associations Between Mothers’ Use Of Food To Soothe, Feeding Mode, And Infant Weight During Early Infancy, Megan K. Hupp, Peggy C. Papathakis, Suzanne Phelan, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Weight status and rate of weight gain in the first six months postpartum are strong predictors of later obesity; thus, infant feeding practices are an important target for obesity prevention efforts. The use of food to soothe (FTS) is associated with less-favorable eating habits and weight outcomes for older infants and children. However, few studies have examined correlates of use of FTS during early infancy. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore associations between use of FTS and infant weight status in the first 6 months postpartum. A secondary aim was to identify the combination of maternal …

Wic Participants' Perceptions Of Covid-19-Related Changes To Wic Recertification And Service Delivery, Alison K. Ventura, Catherine E. Martinez, Shannon E. Whaley

Kinesiology and Public Health

Many Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics implemented alternatives to in-person service delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual visits and electronic document sharing. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe WIC participants’ experiences with remote service delivery and recertification during the pandemic. Participants included mothers and infants who participated in a WIC-based intervention between June 2019-August 2020. All participants (N = 246) were invited to complete a follow-up survey between November 2020-February 2021; 185 mothers completed the survey. The survey assessed sociodemographics, employment, food security, experiences with remote WIC recertification …

Maternal Diet During Pregnancy And Lactation And Child Food Preferences, Dietary Patterns, And Weight Outcomes: A Review Of Recent Research, Alison K. Ventura, Suzanne Phelan, Karina Silva Garcia

Kinesiology and Public Health

Purpose of Review Efforts to promote children’s preferences for healthy foods hold much potential for improving diet quality and preventing obesity. The purpose of this review was to summarize recent evidence for associations between maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation and child food preferences, dietary patterns, and weight outcomes.

Recent Findings Recent research illustrates greater maternal vegetable intakes during pregnancy and lactation predict greater child preferences for and intakes of vegetables. Recent randomized clinical trials to improve maternal weight outcomes during the perinatal period via behavioral lifestyle interventions that included dietary components have yielded mixed findings for effects on child …

Promoting Responsive Bottle-Feeding Within Wic: Evaluation Of A Policy, Systems, And Environmental Change Approach, Alison K. Ventura, Karina Silva Garcia, Martha Meza, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Catherine E. Martinez, Shannon E. Whaley

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background Bottle-fed infants are at greater risk for overfeeding and rapid weight gain (RWG); evidence-based strategies for promoting healthy bottle-feeding practices are needed.

Objective Our aim was to assess whether policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies for promoting responsive bottle-feeding practices within the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were associated with lower risk for RWG.

Design We conducted a matched-pair cluster randomized trial. PSE strategies were implemented at 3 WIC clinics in Los Angeles County. PSE clinics were compared with 3 matched control clinics. Mothers and infants were assessed when infants were newborn and 3 …

Mother–Infant Interactions And Infant Intake During Breastfeeding Versus Bottle-Feeding Expressed Breast Milk, Alison K. Ventura, Megan Hupp, Joseph Lavond

Kinesiology and Public Health

Bottle-fed infants are at higher risk for rapid weight gain compared with breastfed infants. Few studies have attempted to disentangle effects of feeding mode, milk composition and relevant covariates on feeding interactions and outcomes. The objective of the present study was to compare effects of breastfeeding directly at the breast versus bottle-feeding expressed breast milk on feeding interactions. Mothers with <6-month-old infants (n = 47) participated in two counterbalanced, feeding observations. Mothers breastfed their infants directly from the breast during one visit (breast condition) and bottle-fed their infants expressed breast milk during the other (bottle condition). Masked raters later coded videos using the Nursing Child Assessment Parent–Child Interaction Feeding Scale. Infant intake was assessed. Mothers self-reported sociodemographic characteristics, infant feeding patterns (i.e. percentage of daily feedings from bottles) and level of pressuring feeding style. Mother and infant behaviours were similar during breast and bottle conditions. Percent bottle-feeding moderated effects of condition on intake (P = 0.032): greater percent bottle-feeding predicted greater intake during the bottle compared with breast condition. Effects of feeding mode were not moderated by parity or pressuring feeding style, but, regardless of condition, multiparous mothers fed their infants more than primiparous mothers (P = 0.028), and pressuring feeding style was positively associated with infant intake (P = 0.045). Findings from the present study do not support the hypothesis that feeding mode directly impacts dyadic interaction for predominantly breastfeeding mothers and infants, but rather suggest between-subject differences in feeding experiences and styles predict feeding outcomes for this population.

Associations Between Maternal Technology Use, Perceptions Of Infant Temperament, And Indicators Of Mother-To-Infant Attachment Quality, Shawnee Alvarez Guitierrez, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Previous research suggests parents' use of technological devices, such as TV and mobile devices, within family contexts may decrease the quality of parent-child interactions. During early infancy, mothers report engaging with technological devices during infant feeding and care interactions, however, few studies have explored potential associations between maternal technology use and the quality of mother-to-infant attachment.

Aim: To examine associations between maternal technology use during mother-infant interactions and indicators of mother-to-infant attachment during early infancy.

Study design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: Mothers (n = 332) of infants aged 2 to 6 months were recruited via MTurk, a crowdsourcing platform, …

Effect Of Prenatal Lifestyle Intervention On Maternal Postpartum Weight Retention And Child Body Massindex Z-Score At 36 Months, Suzanne Phelan, Chantelle N. Hart, Elissa Jelalian, Karen Muñoz-Christian, Noemi Alarcon, Angelica Mchugh, Alison K. Ventura, Rena R. Wing

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background/Objectives We previously reported results from a randomized trial showing that a behavioral intervention during pregnancy reduced excess gestational weight gain but did not impact maternal weight at 12 months. We now examine the longer-term effects of this prenatal intervention on maternal postpartum weight retention and toddler body-mass-index z scores (BMIz) over 36 months.

Subjects/Methods Pregnant women (N = 264; 13.7 weeks’ gestation; 41.6% Hispanic) with overweight or obesity were randomized into usual care or prenatal intervention. Anthropometric assessments in mothers and toddlers occurred at baseline, 35 weeks’ gestation and after delivery at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 …

Potential Overfeeding Among Formula Fed Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants And Children Participants And Associated Factors, Christopher E. Anderson, Catherine E. Martinez, Alison K. Ventura, Shannon E. Whaley

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides enough formula to meet the known nutritional needs of infants up to 6 months of age whose mothers report not breastfeeding, but many mothers report WIC providing insufficient formula, indicating potential overfeeding.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of potential overfeeding among formula-feeding WIC participants and identify associated factors.

Methods: Potential overfeeding was identified among participants of the longitudinal Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 (ITFPS-2) receiving the fully formula feeding WIC infant package at 1 month of age (n = 1235, weighted n = 197 079). Associations …

Positive Parenting Approaches And Their Association With Child Eating And Weight: A Narrative Review From Infancy To Adolescence, Katherine N. Balantekin, Stephanie Anzman-Frasca, Lori A. Francis, Alison K. Ventura, Jennifer O. Fisher, Susan L. Johnson

Kinesiology and Public Health

Parents play a critical role in the development of children's eating behaviours and weight status, serving as providers, models and regulators of the food environment. Many research reviews have focused on the robust body of evidence on coercive control in feeding: how parenting practices such as restriction and pressure to eat increase children's risk for developing undesirable eating behaviours and unhealthy weight outcomes. Fewer reviews adopt a strengths-based perspective focusing on the ways that parents can actively support the development of healthy eating behaviours and weight trajectories. Emerging research on such positive parenting styles and practices offers solutions beyond the …

Associations Between Variations In Breast Anatomy And Early Breastfeeding Challenges, Alison K. Ventura, Brittany Lore, Olga Mireles

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Mothers with anatomic variability (e.g., shorter, wider nipples; denser areolas) may experience breastfeeding challenges disproportionately.

Research aim: To examine whether variations in breast anatomy are associated with risk for early breastfeeding challenges.

Methods: Participants included mothers < 6 weeks postpartum. Nipple base width, nipple length, and areolar density were measured on the right and left breast separately. Experiences with early breastfeeding challenges were determined through a combination of maternal report and clinical assessment.

Results: Participants (N = 119) had an average nipple diameter of 23.4 (SD = 3.0) mm for left nipples and 23.5 (SD = 3.0) mm for right nipples (range = 10–34 mm). Average nipple length was 8.5 (SD = 3.2) mm for left breasts and 9.1 (SD = 3.2) mm for right breasts (range = 5–20 mm); 35% of participants had dense areolas …

Biography Of Leann L Birch, Phd, 25 June 1946 – 26 May 2019, Stephani Anzman-Frasca, Kirsten K. Davison, Jennifer O. Fisher, Lori A. Francis, Susan L. Johnson, Justin A. Lavner, Ian M. Paul, Alison K. Ventura, Jennifer S. Savage

Kinesiology and Public Health

On 26 May, 2019, the nutrition community lost a visionary ambassador, trusted advisor, and cherished mentor. Leann Birch was a pioneer in bringing a developmental psychology perspective to the study of children's nutrition as a means to respond to real-world questions raised by parents. Leann Elsie Traub was born in Owosso, Michigan 25 June, 1946. She grew up primarily in Southern California and received a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Long Beach, in 1971. She completed her graduate studies at the University of Michigan where she received a master's degree in 1973 and a doctorate in 1975, …

Towards Equitable Communication: An Exploratory Study To Guide Knowledge Translation In Kinesiology, Akuekegbe Y. Uwadiale, Jafra D. Thomas

Kinesiology and Public Health

Resources at or below the 8th grade reading level is key if behavioral resources are to support end-user health literacy, a strong predictor of prevention-oriented health behaviors and health risk. To understand how readability issues effect physical activity resources, we performed a systematic review of the kinesiology literature. A sample of 18 original studies was obtained (M publication date=2010, SD=7.45), which on average reported public resources exceeded the 8th grade reading level by at least two grades. Thematic analysis resulted in 14 general ways material readability could be easily improved. Project findings will be discussed and next steps presented.

Development And Validation Of The Maternal Distraction Questionnaire, Alison K. Ventura, Megan Hupp, Shawnee Alvarez Gutierrez, Rebeca Almeida

Kinesiology and Public Health

This paper describes the development of a self-report measure of mothers’ engagement in technological activities during mother-infant interactions. In Study 1, mothers (n = 332; infants: 3.8 ± 1.4 months) completed the Maternal Distraction Questionnaire (MDQ) and related questionnaires. Factor analysis revealed two distinct subscales representing engagement with technological distractors and perceived distraction. Subscales correlated with relevant measures of feeding styles, attachment, and infant eating behaviors and temperament. In Study 2, mothers (n = 24; infants: 3.8 ± 1.8 months) completed the MDQ and kept feeding activity diaries. Significant correlations between MDQ subscales and diary data were noted. …

A Qualitative Study Of Breastfeeding And Formula-Feeding Mothers’ Perceptions Of And Experiences In Wic, Rebeca Almeida, Shawnee Alvarez Gutierrez, Shannon E. Whaley, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: To explore Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants’ perspectives about why formula-fed infants are less likely to be recertified at 1 year compared with breastfed infants.

Design: Four focus groups of WIC mothers, stratified by language spoken (English or Spanish) and feeding mode (breastfeeding [BF] or formula-feeding [FF]).

Setting: Two WIC sites within Los Angeles County, CA.

Participants: Mothers of 6- to 12-month-old infants (n = 31) in the WIC program.

Phenomenon of Interest: Mothers’ perceptions of (1) how WIC supports BF and FF mothers; and (2) experiences of FF mothers in WIC, with …

Maternal Digital Media Use During Infant Feeding And The Quality Of Feeding Interactions, Alison K. Ventura, Jordyn Levy, Sierra Sheeper

Kinesiology and Public Health

Experimental research with parents of older children suggests parents’ engagement with technological devices (e.g., television, mobile devices) in the presence of their children decreases the quality of parent-child interactions. Many mothers report frequent use of technological devices during infant feeding but, to date, few studies have explored the potential association between maternal technological device use during feeding and the quality of infant feeding interactions. To this end, mothers (n = 25) and their infants (mean age = 19.3 ± 6.4 weeks) participated in a within-subject, experimental study to explore associations between maternal digital media use and feeding interaction quality …

Maternal Diet During Lactation And Breast-Feeding Practices Have Synergistic Association With Child Diet At 6 Years, Jacob P. Beckerman, Emily Slade, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: Children breast-fed during infancy consume more fruits and vegetables than formula-fed children. This pattern is likely due, in part, to infant learning from flavours of the mother’s diet transmitted through breast milk, but more research is needed to understand associations between early flavour exposures and later dietary patterns. We examined whether breast-feeding and maternal fruit and vegetable consumption during nursing were synergistically associated with higher child fruit and vegetable consumption.

Design: Prospective cohort study of breast-feeding duration, maternal diet postpartum and child diet. Complete breast-feeding and maternal diet data were available for 1396 mother–child dyads; multiple imputation was used …

Exploring Correlates Of Infant Clarity Of Cues During Early Feeding Interactions, Alison K. Ventura, Sierra Sheeper, Jordyn Levy

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background Recommendations aimed at reducing infants’ risk for rapid weight gain primarily focus on promoting caregivers’ use of responsive feeding practices and styles. These recommendations are grounded in the belief that infants will effectively signal hunger and satiation to their caregivers. To date, few studies have explored how variability in infants’ communication of hunger and satiation may contribute to feeding interactions.

Objective Our aim was to explore variability in, and correlates of, infant clarity of cues during feeding interactions.

Design This was a cross-sectional study.

Participants/setting Mother-infant dyads (n = 86) were video-recorded during a typical feeding interaction within laboratory-based …

Effects Of Varying Doses Of Oral Bisphenol A Consumption On Type 2 Diabetes Risk Markers In Healthy Adults, Todd Hagobian, Alyssa Bird, Sean Stanelle, Dana Williams, Andrew Schaffner, Suzanne Phelan

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective

To determine the effects of varying doses of orally administered BPA on indices of glucose metabolism.

Methods

Eleven college students (21.0 ± 0.8 years; 24.2 ± 3.9 kg/m²) were randomized in a double-blinded, crossover fashion separated by >1 week to placebo (PL), deuterated BPA at 4 µg/kg body weight (BPA-4), and deuterated BPA at 50 µg/kg body weight (BPA-50). Total BPA, glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were assessed at baseline, minutes 15, 30, 45, 60, and every 30 minutes for 2 hours in response to a glucose tolerance test.

Results

There was a significant condition × time interaction …

Dataset For Pilot Randomized Trial To Reduce Urinary Bisphenols In Women With Obesity, Todd Hagobian, Zoe Delli-Bovi, Adrian Mercado, Alyssa Bird, Megan Guy, Suzanne Phelan

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Bisphenol exposure is widespread and correlated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Previous intervention studies have effectively lowered bisphenol exposure among women of normal-weight. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that a 3-week bisphenol intervention would decrease urinary bisphenol A (BPA) bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF) in women with obesity.

Methods: Thirty women with obesity (31.1 ± 5.6 kg/m², 21.1 ± 3.1 yrs) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control. The intervention included weekly face-to-face meetings to reduce bisphenol exposures from food, cosmetics, and packaged products. Fasting urinary …

Predictors Of Resilience Among Infants At Risk For Rapid Weight Gain, Alison K. Ventura, Kristen Thompson

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: The study objective was to investigate factors associated with resilience to rapid weight gain (RWG) among predominantly bottle-fed infants.

Methods: Data came from 1,353 mothers who participated in the Infant Feeding Practices Study 2. Mothers completed a prenatal questionnaire and monthly surveys of infant feeding and growth between birth and 12 months. Infants were classified as resilient if they were predominantly bottle fed but did not exhibit RWG between birth and the latter half of infancy (≥ +0.67 change in weight-for-age z score).

Results: Thirty-five percent of the sample (n = 467) was predominantly bottle fed but did …

Effects Of Opaque, Weighted Bottles On Maternal Sensitivity And Infant Intake, Alison K. Ventura, Alexandra Hernandez

Kinesiology and Public Health

Caregivers' abilities to assess how much is in the bottle may lead to encouragement of infant bottle emptying and overfeeding. The present study assessed whether use of opaque, weighted bottles (as compared with conventional, clear bottles) improves feeding outcomes. Mothers with infants <32 weeks of age (n = 76) were assessed on two separate days. Mothers fed their infants from an opaque, weighted bottle on 1 day and a clear bottle on the other; conditions were counterbalanced. Blinded raters certified in the Nursing Child Assessment Feeding Scale scored all videos to determine maternal sensitivity. Infant intake was assessed by weighing the bottle before and …

‘Ripple’ Effect On Infant Zbmi Trajectory Of An Internet-Based Weight Loss Program For Low-Income Postpartum Women, S. Phelan, T. A. Hagobian, A. Ventura, A. Brannen, K. Erickson-Hatley, A. Schaffner, K. Muñoz-Christian, S. Mercado, D. F. Tate

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Weight loss interventions can have positive ‘ripple’ effects on untreated partners in the home, but ripple effects on infants are unknown.

Objective: To examine whether a 12-month internet-based weight loss intervention for postpartum mothers had a positive ripple effect on participants’ infants.

Methods: A 12-month cluster randomized, assessor-blind, clinical trial enrolling 371 postpartum women at 12 Women, Infants, Children clinics in CA. Clinics were randomized to standardWomen, Infants, Children or an internet-based weight loss intervention for mothers.

Results: A total of 333 of the 371 (89.8%) mothers assented for infant participation. Infants were 5.3 ± 3.2 months; 75.9% were …

More Rapid Increase In Bmi From Age 5–15 Is Associated With Elevated Weight Status At Age 24 Among Non-Hispanic White Females, Katherine N. Balantekin, Emily E. Hohman, Elizabeth L. Adams, Michele E. Marini, Alison K. Ventura, Leann L. Birch, Jennifer S. Savage

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: A rapidly increasing BMI trajectory throughout childhood is associated with negative health outcomes in adulthood such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether BMI trajectories from age 5–15 predicted changes in weight and BMI from adolescence to adulthood, and dieting-related behaviors in young adulthood.

Methods: Non-Hispanic White female participants from Early Dieting in Girls (n=182), a longitudinal cohort study, were followed from age 5 to 15 and completed a follow-up survey at age 24. Participants were classified by age 5–15 BMI trajectory groups: UPC, accelerated weight gain from age …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Overweight And Obesity Among Preschool-Aged Children In San Luis Obispo County, 2006-2014, Kristine Z. Jankovitz, Alison K. Ventura, Trevor M. Curry, Victoria B. Howarth, Caitlin C. Moran, Robin M. Mertens, Leland A. Bailey, Kristen Thompson, Karen Mcgaughey

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background and Purpose: National prevalence of overweight and obesity (OW/OB) among children remains high; surveillance of OW/OB at state- and local-levels is needed. This study determines the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of OW/OB among preschool-age children in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County.

Methods: Cross-sectional convenience samples of Head Start, California State, and private preschools were surveyed in 2006 (n=482), 2009/10 (n=559), and 2014 (n=442). At all waves, preschool children aged 3-5 years were measured for height and weight using standardized stadiometer and digital scale protocols. In 2014, parents completed a demographics questionnaire.

Results: Children assessed in 2009/10 and 2014 were …

Promoting Healthy Food Preferences From The Start: A Narrative Review Of Food Preference Learning From The Prenatal Period Through Early Childhood, S. Anzman-Frasca, Alison K. Ventura, S. Ehrenberg, K. P. Myers

Kinesiology and Public Health

The palatable, energy-dense foods that characterize modern environments can promote unhealthy eating habits, along with humans’ predispositions to accept sweet tastes and reject those that are sour or bitter. Yet food preferences are malleable, and examining food preference learning during early life can highlight ways to promote acceptance of healthier foods. This narrative review describes research from the past 10 years focused on food preference learning from the prenatal period through early childhood (ages 2–5 years). Exposure to a variety of healthy foods from the start, including during the prenatal period, early milk-feeding and the introduction to complementary foods and …