RESEARCH ARTICLE


Eating Behaviour and Body Satisfaction in Mediterranean Children: the Role of the Parents



Valdo Ricca^, Francesco Rotella^, Edoardo Mannucci#, Claudia Ravaldi^, Giovanni Castellini^, Francesco Lapi##, Linda Cangioli^, Paolo Martini###, Carlo Faravelli*, °

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2010
Volume: 6
First Page: 59
Last Page: 65
Publisher ID: CPEMH-6-59
DOI: 10.2174/1745017901006010059

Article History:

Received Date: 26/10/2009
Revision Received Date: 14/3/2010
Acceptance Date: 13/5/2010
Electronic publication date: 20/7/2010
Collection year: 2010

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Creative Commons License
© Ricca et al.; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Psychology, Florence University, Via San Niccolò, 93, 50125, Firenze, Italy; Tel: +39 55 6236047; Fax: +39 55 6237811; E-mail: carlo.faravelli@unifi.it
^ Psychiatric Unit, Dept. Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Firenze, Italy
# Section of Geriatric Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Florence University School of Medicine, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Firenze, Italy
## Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology, Florence University School of Medicine, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Firenze, Italy
### Mental Health Service Arezzo, Via Guido Monaco 13, Arezzo, Italy
° Department of Psychology, Florence University, Via San Niccolò, 93, 50125, Firenze, Italy


Abstract

Although the prevalence of fully expressed Eating Disorders is rare in young children, childhood eating disturbances are fairly common. Parents can play a facilitating role for the development of overweight and eating problems among their children. The aim of this study is to detect the possible relationships between children’s eating attitudes and behaviour and the parents’ beliefs about eating habits and body shape of their offspring.

This survey was conducted in the area of Arezzo (Italy), on 900 children, aged 7-12, and on their parents/substitute caregivers. The Kids’ Eating Disorder Survey questionnaire, and the CIBUS questionnaire were administered.

A fully expressed Eating Disorder was diagnosed in two kids only. KEDS total score and weight/dissatisfaction subscale score positively correlated with parents’ answers to the following CIBUS’ items (How do you consider the body shape of your son/daughter? How much does your son/daughter eats? Have you ever thought of putting your son/daughter on a diet?). Positive correlations between the children BMI, desired BMI and the aforementioned CIBUS’ items were found.

The prevalence of formal Eating Disorders in children aged 7-12 is low. Children appear to be more preoccupied with their weight than with their body shape. Parents’ beliefs about the offspring’s body shape and eating habits have a relevant impact on children’s eating attitudes and behaviour.

Key Words: Body shape, body weight, childhood, parents eating behaviour.