This study explores parental awareness of the impact of food-based behavioral strategies on emotional eating tendencies in children aged 3–12. Parents often use food to manage children’s behavior, offering treats for compliance or withholding them to correct actions. While effective in the short term, such practices may have long-term implications for children’s eating behaviors, potentially contributing to emotional eating and associated health risks. This research examines parents’ awareness of these risks, their perspectives on food-based motivation, and alternative strategies they employ to manage children's behavior.
Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed. Semi-structured interviews with 12 parents, recruited via social media and community networks, explored behavioral strategies, awareness of emotional eating, and alternative approaches. Interviews lasted 40–60 minutes and were thematically analyzed to identify key themes and patterns.
Preliminary Findings: Parents use a range of strategies, including verbal encouragement, clear rules, and food-based methods. While food is sometimes employed, for most of them it is not a dominant approach. Parents tended to perceive occasional use of treats as harmless and didn't tend to link it with emotional eating.
Interestingly, grandparents were often seen as more reliant on sweets for bonding. Parents emphasized the importance of diverse approaches tailored to specific situations.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for increased awareness of the potential long-term effects of food-based behavioral strategies, particularly their connection to the development of emotional eating patterns, while highlighting the varied methods parents use to manage their children’s behavior effectively.

Authors:
Asnat Dor, Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Israel

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Asnat Dor is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel in Israel

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark