Responsive maternal feeding behaviors used with young children in Perú

Background and objectives Responsive feeding behaviors are related to the development of healthy eating behaviors in young children. There is evidence that positive interactions between the caregiver and child during feeding episodes can reduce malnutrition. The aim of this study was to identify dimensions of responsive feeding, and whether this varies based on the age of the child, in families living in a Peruvian city. Methods Eight mothers with a 6-23-month-old child, living in peri-urban areas of Huánuco - Peru, participated. Following informed consent, observations of the mother-child dyad were conducted in the family's home. The observations were carried out during January and February 2020, with an average duration of five hours, including meal preparation and mealtimes. Previously validated guides were used to code the observations, specifically examples of responsive and non-responsive feeding behavior. Results Mothers were differentiated according to the age of their children: 6 to 12 months of age (mean 9.6 months) and 13 to 23 months of age (mean 18.2 months). Mothers of children aged 6 to 12 months commonly demonstrated responsive behaviors that included responding to the child's feeding signals and using strategies to try to encourage their child to eat the food. Non-responsive behavior in this group was identified as not giving the child opportunities to eat on their own, because some mothers were afraid that the child would choke, get messy or were too slow. Mothers of the 13 to 23 month-olds gave their child more opportunities to eat by themself with their hands or spoon. However, talking to the child during meals was practically absent and some mothers were more controlling, exerting various forms of pressure at mealtimes. Conclusion Greater responsive feeding behavior was evident in mothers of younger children compared to mothers of older children. This likely reflects mothers allowing their older children greater autonomy in eating whilst engaging in fewer vocalizations at mealtimes, but also reflects greater use of pressure for older children to eat. Support is recommended to inform parents about the unintended effects that can arise from overly-controlling feeding practices and the benefits of verbalization during feeding.