Modelling eating behaviours : from childhood to adolescence

Abstract

This thesis aimed to explore the relationships between predictors1 of eating behaviours in both childhood and adolescence and investigate their influence on food choice and food intake. For this, a global approach was used integrating individual, social and environmental predictors. The data included 210 participants aged 6-8 years old and 303 at the age of 12-13 of the Gateshead Millennium Study. Section II (Food intake in childhood) aimed to explore the relationships between predictors (e.g. trying and liking fruits and vegetables, parents’ food intake, etc.) and how they influence food intake in childhood (6-8 years old). Higher intake of healthy food was directly associated to liking fruits/vegetables and lower deprivation level, whereas higher intake of unhealthy was directly associated to lower level of liking fruits and lower BMI. Section III (Food choice and food intake in adolescence) aimed to explore the relationships between predictors (e.g. intention and temptation to eat healthy and unhealthy food, inhibitory control, etc.) and how they influence food choice and food intake in adolescence (12-13 years old). Temptation was the strongest predictor of the food choice, whereas inhibitory control was the only predictor of healthy intake. None of the predictors influenced unhealthy intake. Section IV (Longitudinal analysis) aimed to explore how food intake and its predictors in childhood influence eating behaviours and their predictors in adolescence. Tracking was weak in unhealthy intake and moderate in healthy intake. Several relationships between predictors from childhood influencing directly or indirectly eating behaviours in adolescence were found. This thesis gives some evidence of the complexity of eating behaviours in childhood and adolescence. Some limitations and implications for practice and future research are discussed.