Factors That Affect Food Parenting Practices of Children With Food Allergies

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of food allergies continues to increase. Literature shows child diagnosis of a food allergy has implications for parents (e.g., higher levels of anxiety), which can influence food parenting practices (FPP). As such, the primary aim of the current study was to investigate whether FPP differ between parents of children with and without a food allergy. The secondary aim was to investigate whether secondary factors, such as historical severity of allergic reaction, will also affect FPP. METHODS: Participants were parents of children (N = 399) who completed online surveys about health history, including food allergy history, and FPP (Child Feeding Questionnaire, Structure and Control in Parent Feeding). About one-quarter (24.6%; n = 98) of children had at least one food allergy. A series of ANOVAs were conducted to assess differences in FPP between children with and without food allergies. Secondary analyses were conducted among parents of children with food allergies to examine how professional diagnosis, parental food allergy, reaction severity, hospitalization history, and presence of other chronic conditions affect FPP. RESULTS: Parents of children with food allergies were more likely to report limit setting FPP (p = .035); there were no other significant differences in FPP between children with and without food allergies (ps > .133). Among families with food allergies, parents whose children were not professionally diagnosed with a food allergy reported greater use of restrictive feeding practices (p = .019). Compared to parents without a food allergy, when both parent and child have a food allergy, parents reported higher pressure to eat (p = .006, p = .046), use of control (p = .039), and structured feeding routines (p = .039). CONCLUSIONS: Current findings illustrate that FPP are similar between parents of children with and without food allergies, with parents of children with food allergies engaging in more limit setting. However, in families with a food allergic child, other factors, such as parental food allergy history, were associated with increased use of controlling FPP. Given that food parenting practices have implications for child health, it is critical to work with parents of children with food allergies to help reduce use of controlling food parenting practices. FUNDING SOURCES: University at Buffalo Experiential Learning Network.