Jordan M Ellis1, Rebecca R Schenk2, Amy T Galloway2, Hana F Zickgraf3, Rose Mary Webb2, Denise M Martz2. 1. Department of Psychology, East Carolina University, East Fifth Street, 104 Rawl Building, Greenville, NC 27858-4353 USA. Electronic address: ellisjo15@students.ecu.edu. 2. Department of Psychology, Appalachian State University, P.O. Box 32109, 222 Joyce Lawrence Ln, Boone, NC, 28608, USA. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, 425 S. University Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Adult picky eating (PE) has received increased attention in the eating behavior literature due to its important association with adult avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The current study tested a model of potential risk factors of adult PE behavior, including perceived early parental feeding practices. An exploratory model was also utilized to understand associations with different aspects of adult PE behaviors. METHODS: A sample of 1339 US adults recruited through Amazon's MTurk completed an online survey that included the recently developed Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ), retrospective reports of parental feeding practices, and other measures of eating behavior and demographic variables. A structural equation modeling procedure tested a series of regression models that included BMI and disordered eating behaviors as covariates. RESULTS: SEM modeling indicated that retrospective reports of greater parental pressure to eat, higher disgust sensitivity, lower PE age of onset, and experiencing an aversive food event were associated with general adult PE behavior. Results also indicated parental encouragement of healthy eating may be a protective factor, and that men endorsed higher levels of adult PE. Exploratory analyses indicated that cross-sectional predictors and covariates were differentially related to specific aspects of PE as measured by the APEQ subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Early experiences, including parental approaches to feeding, appear to be potential risk factors of PE behavior in adults. A nuanced understanding of adult PE is important for the prevention and treatment of severe PE behaviors, related psychosocial impairment, and ARFID.
OBJECTIVE: Adult picky eating (PE) has received increased attention in the eating behavior literature due to its important association with adult avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The current study tested a model of potential risk factors of adult PE behavior, including perceived early parental feeding practices. An exploratory model was also utilized to understand associations with different aspects of adult PE behaviors. METHODS: A sample of 1339 US adults recruited through Amazon's MTurk completed an online survey that included the recently developed Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ), retrospective reports of parental feeding practices, and other measures of eating behavior and demographic variables. A structural equation modeling procedure tested a series of regression models that included BMI and disordered eating behaviors as covariates. RESULTS: SEM modeling indicated that retrospective reports of greater parental pressure to eat, higher disgust sensitivity, lower PE age of onset, and experiencing an aversive food event were associated with general adult PE behavior. Results also indicated parental encouragement of healthy eating may be a protective factor, and that men endorsed higher levels of adult PE. Exploratory analyses indicated that cross-sectional predictors and covariates were differentially related to specific aspects of PE as measured by the APEQ subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Early experiences, including parental approaches to feeding, appear to be potential risk factors of PE behavior in adults. A nuanced understanding of adult PE is important for the prevention and treatment of severe PE behaviors, related psychosocial impairment, and ARFID.
Authors: Adrianne A Harris; Adrienne L Romer; Eleanor K Hanna; Lori A Keeling; Kevin S LaBar; Walter Sinnott-Armstrong; Timothy J Strauman; Henry Ryan Wagner; Marsha D Marcus; Nancy L Zucker Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2019-02-25 Impact factor: 4.861
Authors: Megan H Pesch; Katherine W Bauer; Mary J Christoph; Nicole Larson; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2019-12-06 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: Jordan M Ellis; Hana F Zickgraf; Amy T Galloway; Jamal H Essayli; Matthew C Whited Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2018-11-06 Impact factor: 6.457