Feasibility of Including Behavioral Feeding Training Within a Parent Intervention for Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Young children with T1D frequently display challenging eating behaviors interfering with diabetes management. The current study explored the feasibility and acceptability of a behavioral parent feeding training session with young children with type 1 diabetes. As part of a larger intervention pilot focused on healthy eating and physical activity, 9 young children (M_age = 4.22) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their mothers participated in a novel/non-preferred food training session. Parents were taught strategies and then were given an opportunity to use the strategies with their child. The paradigm was video recorded and content was coded for parent and child behavior. Feasibility was high, and all parents rated the feeding session as acceptable. All parents demonstrated using at least one behavioral feeding skill (M = 3.38, SD = 1.60). All 9 (100%) children touched at least one of their non-preferred foods (M = 2.05, SD = 0.75), and 5 (56%) ate at least one novel/non-preferred food (M = 1.65, SD = 0.87). Parents of young children with T1D demonstrated use of parenting skills after receiving brief instructions, with more children than not trying at least one novel/non-preferred food.

Keywords: Eating behaviors; Parent training; Type 1 diabetes; Young children.

Figure 1.

Image of a Feeding Training Session Plate Set Up. Plate included in feeding sessions depicting 3 preferred and 3 non-preferred foods. Foods displayed are (clockwise from top) diced turkey, blueberries, grapes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and hardboiled egg. Children were instructed to build colorful patterns of food on the sword shaped toothpicks in the center.

Figure 2.

Food Task Approach Behaviors. This graph illustrates the number of foods placed on the skewer during a feeding session, as well as the number of novel/ disliked foods that were touch or tasted.

Figure 3.

Feeding strategies used by parents.