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Childhood feeding difficulties perceived by mothers and fathers: a cross-sectional study conducted in Family Pediatrician offices

Manzotti E, Pennisi F, Bonvicini L, Leoni F, Rossi PG · 8 Oct 2026

Abstract

Abstract Background Parents increasingly report feeding difficulties in their children, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 20% to 60%. These difficulties represent a risk factor for the later development of eating disorders. It is well established that children’s feeding behavior, from birth, develops within the caregiver–child dyad and acquires affective and relational meanings beyond its purely nutritional function. Objectives we conducted a cross-sectional study to compare maternal and paternal perceptions of their child’s feeding difficulties and to collect child’s feeding difficulties correlations with parent’s feeding behavior, eating disorders and psychopathology. Materials and methods a total of 48 healthy, born at term children, aged between 6 months and 3 years, were recruited in 4 family pediatrician offices in Reggio Emilia (Italy). All parents were administered EDQ-C questionnaire to collect sociodemographic information, eating disorders and psychopathologic aspects of both the child and the parent. Results we detected a good match between mothers’ and fathers’ perception scores, particularly for infantile anorexia (p < 0.001), sensory food aversion (p < 0.004), oral-motor disorder (p < 0.001) and approach to food (p < 0.001). Both mothers and fathers reported a higher perception of feeding difficulties if they have an only child. Children’s feeding disorder scores were more strongly correlated with maternal psychopathology than with paternal psychopathology, and no significant correlation was found with parents’ own eating disorders. Conclusions this study contributes to expanding knowledge on early childhood feeding difficulties as perceived by parents, by directly comparing maternal and paternal perspectives.