Does Behavioral Feeding Problem Influence Weight Status and Diet Quality in Preschool Children?

This study investigated behavioral feeding problems and associations with weight status and diet quality in preschool children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 265 children aged 3 to 6 years. The Behavioral Pediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) was used to assess feeding behavior. Higher feeding problems were associated with lower body mass index and lower diet quality. Underweight children had higher mean BPFAS scores ( P = .01). Having fewer siblings was associated with lower diet quality ( r = 0.187; P = .002) and higher BPFAS scores ( r = −0.127; P = .038). Higher BPFAS scores, picky-eaters scores, toddler refusal-general scores, and older children refusal-general scores were associated with lower body mass index and lower diet quality ( P < .001).