Children’s Eating Behaviours

Children’s eating behaviours concern how children eat rather than what they eat. Food-approach behaviours are associated with higher energy intake and obesity risk. Food-avoidant behaviours are linked to lower energy intake and risks of underweight and nutritional deficiencies. Poor eating behaviours formed in childhood can affect hunger and satiety sensitivity and later health. Eating behaviours established early in life often persist into adulthood and raise chronic disease risk.