Study finds link between coercive feeding practices and emotional overeating in preschoolers

A new study from the University of North Florida links coercive food practices by parents to emotional overeating in preschoolers. Researchers found that using food to manage emotions negatively affects children's ability to regulate their feelings. The study involved 221 mothers of four- and five-year-olds. It assessed various coercive feeding practices, such as using food as a reward or comfort, and their impact on children's emotional regulation and eating behaviors. Findings indicate that all coercive practices were associated with poorer emotional regulation, leading to increased emotional overeating. While these practices also related to emotional undereating, this was not linked to emotional regulation, suggesting different underlying factors.