The Association between Sibship Composition and Child Eating Behaviors

Abstract

Development of eating habits and patterns during childhood can have life-long effects on weight and health status. Family structure, functioning, and interactions during mealtimes may influence the development of eating behaviors among children. The objective of this study was to examine the association between sibship composition and child eating behaviors among preschoolers in Saudi Arabia. One hundred and fifteen mothers were recruited through various preschools around the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A previously validated Arabic version of the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) was completed over the telephone along with questions assessing sibship composition and demographic characteristics. Spearman correlations and adjusted linear regression models were examined to assess the association between sibship composition and child eating behaviors. Adjusting for covariates, number of older siblings was positively associated with emotional over eating, food responsiveness, and the desire to drink. Number of older sisters was positively associated with the desire to drink but negatively associated with food fussiness. Having a greater number of older (rather than younger) siblings may be associated with food-approach eating behaviors. Having a greater number of older sisters may be associated with less food fussiness. Focusing on older siblings in encouraging healthy eating habits and appropriate food choices may be beneficial in promoting adaptive eating behaviors and prevention of excessive energy intake and weight gain. Future longitudinal and mixed-methods research studies with larger sample sizes are needed in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms for the associations between sibship composition and child eating behaviors

Keywords:

• eating behaviors
• preschoolers
• siblings

Ethical standards disclosure

This study was conducted according to the guidelines laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki and all procedures involving research study participants were approved by the Unit of Biomedical Ethics at King Abdulaziz University (reference number HA-02-J-008). Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Data availability statement

The principle/corresponding author, Dr. Rana Mosli, has full access to the data and has the right to publish work pertaining to these data.