Thursday, June 15, 2023

8:15 AM - 9:30 AM

UKK - Main Hall (Level 6)

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Details

Purpose: To explore novel assessment and analytical methods of child eating behaviours; refining the commonly used Childrens Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), using person-centred approaches to examine eating behaviour profiles, and understanding epigenetic pathways of eating behaviours.

Rationale: Eating behaviours (e.g., fussiness, satiety responsiveness, and) are associated with child weight. A common approach to understanding child eating behaviours is the CEBQ; a 35-item parent-reported survey tool. When combined with assessment of outcomes (e.g., dietary intake), high participant burden can be caused, therefore, there is a need for refinement of the CEBQ. Additionally, most research examines associations between child eating behaviours and health outcomes using a variable centred approach (single variable associations). However, eating behaviours do not occur in isolation, examining profiles of eating behaviours using person-centred analysis can inform personalised intervention programs. Finally, although it is known that eating behaviours have largely genetic origins, epigenetic factors are yet to be explored. Examining epigenetic factors could provide novel insights into the early developmental origins of childrens eating behaviours to help identify those at higher obesity risk. Objectives: 1) To summarise and discuss current measurement of child eating behaviours, and the evidence regarding the associations between child eating behaviours and weight status. 2) To refine the widely used CEBQ examining child eating behaviours. 3) To investigate the use of novel data analysis techniques to examine profiles of child eating behaviours, and their associations with weight. 4) To examine possible epigenetic pathways linked to child eating behaviours.

Summary: The session will begin with an overview of existing research regarding child eating behaviour measures, and associations between child eating behaviours and weight. This symposium will provide novel insights into the measurement and analysis of child eating behaviours, and their associations with child weight status. Additionally, epigenetic factors influencing the early development of child eating behaviours will be discussed.

Interaction: Discussion points that are of interest to the topic and the audience will be formed to guide a discussion.

Format: 0-5: Introduction - Alissa Burnett (Australia)
5-20: Maria Somaraki (France): A novel methodology for the assessment of child eating behaviours: Applying the Rasch model on the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) using samples from Australia and Sweden
20-35: Jennifer Fisher (USA): Use of person-centered eating behavior profiles to reflect the whole child
35-50: Holly Harris (Netherlands): An epigenome-wide association study of child eating behaviours and DNA methylation
50-75: Discussion - Georgie Russell (Australia)

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Speaker