Redefining Roles-Fathers Play a Crucial Role in Shaping Children's Healthy Eating Behaviors: Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Background/objectives: Fathers have been largely understudied in feeding research, as most studies have focused on mothers. This study aims to explore the relationship between paternal feeding practices and child eating behaviors.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional observational design. Fathers (n = 114) completed one-off self-reported questionnaires using the Child Feeding Practices Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behaviors Questionnaire from October 2023 to February 2024. Variations in feeding practices across sociodemographic factors were explored using correlational statistics. The generalized linear model was used to identify relationships between paternal feeding practices and child eating behaviors.

Results: For young children, the availability of healthy food at home was positively associated with food approach behaviors, while paternal practices of pressuring and child control were linked to increased food avoidance. Among school-aged children, using food as a reward was positively associated with food approach behaviors, while using food to regulate emotions was linked to increased food avoidance. Restriction for weight control was associated with both food approach and avoidant behaviors. In adolescents, paternal monitoring of their diet and certain socioeconomic conditions were observed to be associated with their eating behaviors.

Conclusions: The findings provide valuable insights into the role of paternal feeding practices in shaping children's eating behaviors and highlight the potential for interventions targeting modifiable paternal behaviors to support healthy eating habits.