# Parent-child mealtime interactions: longitudinal observations to inform obesity prevention

> **NIH NIH R01** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $716,748

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Obesity prevention efforts are increasingly focused on early childhood. Emerging evidence suggests that the
emotional quality of interactions between parents and children impacts risk for obesity and self-regulation may
be an explanatory mechanism. However, parent-child interactions are traditionally observed during play, and
mealtime interactions have not been studied over time in relationship to children's obesity risk. Further, which
aspects of self-regulation are involved is unclear. Children born preterm have risks for obesity that are similar
to children born at term, and preterm children are at higher risk for deficits in self-regulation. The objective of
this application is to conduct a longitudinal study of toddlers (of all gestational ages) to determine how the
quality of parent-child interactions observed in mealtime and play settings in the home and laboratory impacts
changes in weight and adiposity through preschool-age, and to identify the aspects of self-regulation that are
involved. Our central hypothesis is that trajectories of parent-child mealtime interaction will differ and predict
risk for obesity at 42 months more robustly than observations of parent-child interaction during play, with
gestational age and temperamental reactivity as effect modifiers, and emotion regulation as the aspect of self-
regulation most strongly associated with obesity. The rationale for the current project is that strategies to
prevent obesity in young children are urgently needed and parent engagement will be crucial to their success;
studying parent-child interaction over time and across contexts, with children of all gestational ages, will
facilitate identification of modifiable targets for obesity prevention. The proposal has three specific aims: 1) to
characterize trajectories of parent-child mealtime interactions across the toddler to preschool period relative to
parent-child interactions in play, 2) to identify parent-child mealtime interactions that increase risk for obesity,
and 3) to determine the aspects of self-regulation that predict healthy weight in preschool-aged children and
identify precursors. Our approach to accomplish these aims will be a prospective study of 250 children enrolled
at 18 months and assessed at 24, 36, and 42 months of age in our laboratory and in their homes. Parent-child
interaction during play and during mealtimes at home and in a standardized buffet lunch in the laboratory will
be observed and objectively coded. Self-regulation at preschool-age will be assessed using a battery of
objective tasks and parent-report. The expected outcomes of this research will be detailed understanding of
the aspects of self-regulation and parent-child mealtime interactions that are associated with risk for obesity in
early childhood. The project is innovative in bringing concepts and methods from developmental science to the
challenge of childhood obesity and utilizing objective coding of observed parent...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9864070
- **Project number:** 5R01DK108969-04
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah E Anderson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $716,748
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9864070

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9864070, Parent-child mealtime interactions: longitudinal observations to inform obesity prevention (5R01DK108969-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9864070. Licensed CC0.

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