Nothing else matters: Why relationships may be key to establishing healthy eating behaviours in young children

Abstract

Food is more than its nutritional components. It brings people together, and connects us to family, culture, and heritage. The development of eating habits and relationships with food begins in infancy and continues across the lifespan. Echoing the theme of Metallica’s 72 Seasons , which was being toured in Australia when this work was presented, experiences during the early years may shape later patterns of behaviour and identity. This can include mindsets around food and eating. This review aims to explore how early life parent/caregiver feeding practices may impact this development of children’s eating behaviours. A respectful and responsive approach to feeding interactions from the outset supports the establishment of calm and enjoyable mealtimes. This type of approach encompasses trust in the infants cues of hunger and satiety, and provides a clear and predictable mealtime environment. In addition, bribery, coercion and pressure are avoided, so that self-regulation is not undermined. This work highlights the central role of the parent–child relationship in shaping long-term eating behaviours. Our ongoing research on a Respectful Approach to parenting, based on the Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) philosophy (focused on parents and children aged 0-2 years) aims to explore effects of respectful, responsive feeding in everyday family life. Eating habits are shaped not just by what we eat, but how we eat and who we eat with.