Abstract
Objective: To identify associations between maternal restrictive feeding practices for child weight control and sociodemographic, behavioral, dietetic, and anthropometric characteristics.
Methods: Cross-sectional study with mothers of children aged 2-8 years. Maternal feeding practices were measured by the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire, in private schools in Brazil. Bivariate and multivariate associations were performed, using nonparametric analyses to estimate odds ratios and significance levels.
Results: Maternal restrictive feeding practices for weight control were independently associated with the mother's perception of her child being a little overweight/overweight/obese (OR = 4.61, p = 0.001), greater concern about the child's overweight (OR = 2.61, p < 0.001), child's overweight/obesity/severe obesity (OR = 2.18, p < 0.001), and the child's greater intake of ultra-processed foods (OR = 1.40, p = 0.026).
Conclusion: In this study, the risk variables identified for the use of the maternal restrictive feeding practices to control the child's weight can be used to provide education and guidance interventions in health and education networks directed to groups with similar characteristics to those of the studied population.
KEYWORDS Obesity; Child; Body weight; Feeding behavior; Maternal behavior; Feeding practices