Leiden University Student Repository

Baas, Noa (2025)

De Strijd tussen Kieskeurige Kinderen en Gezonde Groenten: De Samenhang van Ouderlijke Aanmoediging, Eetomgeving en Voedselvoorkeuren op de Voedselinname van Kinderen

Master thesis | Education and Child Studies (MSc)

This study examines the relationship between picky eating, parental encouragement, and the frequency of family meals at the table on children's vegetable intake. Understanding the factors that influence vegetable intake is vital for promoting healthy development in children, as unhealthy eating habits can increase the risk of diseases like cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 256 mother-child dyads (age children M = 4,68, SD = 0,42). Participants were recruited through email lists and child health centers in four Dutch provinces, targeting mothers about to introduce solid foods to their 4-6 month-old infants The data in this study was collected from the same sample of children, but when they were 24 months old. Information about the variables was gathered using multiple questionnaires: Compl-Eat, Meals in Our Household, CFPQ, and CEBQ-T. Results show that less picky children consume significantly more vegetables on...Show moreThis study examines the relationship between picky eating, parental encouragement, and the frequency of family meals at the table on children's vegetable intake. Understanding the factors that influence vegetable intake is vital for promoting healthy development in children, as unhealthy eating habits can increase the risk of diseases like cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 256 mother-child dyads (age children M = 4,68, SD = 0,42). Participants were recruited through email lists and child health centers in four Dutch provinces, targeting mothers about to introduce solid foods to their 4-6 month-old infants The data in this study was collected from the same sample of children, but when they were 24 months old. Information about the variables was gathered using multiple questionnaires: Compl-Eat, Meals in Our Household, CFPQ, and CEBQ-T. Results show that less picky children consume significantly more vegetables on average than picky children, with an average difference of 38.64 grams. However, no significant effects were found for parental encouragement or the frequency of family meals at the table on vegetable intake. Possible explanations for the lack of significant results include the skewed data distribution and potential social desirability bias in parental reporting. Future research should aim to precisely define and measure 'encouragement' and 'meals at the table', considering factors like frequency, method, and context. This will lead to the development of more precise measurement tools, improving the accuracy and reliability of findings. These insights are crucial for developing effective interventions to promote vegetable consumption in children and improve their overall health.Show less

Kieskeurig, Aanmoediging, Groente-inname, Maaltijden aan Tafel

Author

Baas, Noa

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Forensische Gezinspedagogiek

Supervisors

Szilvia Biro

ECTS Credits

20

Language

nl