Assessment of Parental Feeding Practices in Early Childhood

Abstract

Parental feeding practices refer to the behaviors that parents use to meet their children’s energy and nutritional needs. Parental feeding practices refer to strategies used by parents to control or change children’s eating patterns, including what is eaten, when, and how much. Parental feeding practices are influenced by the family environment and how parents create a mealtime atmosphere for children, which is the child’s first experience in learning about food and the eating process. This study aims to determine the application of parental feeding practices in early childhood. This research uses a quantitative survey approach. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire on parental feeding practices, specifically the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ). The sample consisted of 54 parents selected by purposive sampling. Data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS. The results showed that most parents fell into the moderate category of parental feeding practices, indicating that many parents are optimal but not yet consistent in implementing these practices. The conclusion from these findings suggests the need for strategic and sustainable efforts from the school environment and parents to implement parental feeding practices consistently and optimally. Improving parental feeding practices is crucial for encouraging children to eat a balanced diet, limiting unhealthy food choices, maintaining adequate food intake, and preventing stunted growth.