Psychological and Demographic Variables Associated with Parent Mealtime Behavior in Young Children Recently Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Mealtime management can be challenging for parents of children who are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), as the treatment of T1D entails an increased focus on food to guide insulin dosing, the core component of T1D management. Research suggests that parent behaviors at mealtime early in a child’s life may influence the child’s approaches and attitudes towards food later in life. However, little is known about the underpinnings of these patterns in young children with a recent diagnosis of T1D. Examining the psychological correlates of parental mealtime behavior may clarify intervention targets for parents in relation to T1D management at mealtimes. Parent and family factors, including fear of hypoglycemia, overall functioning, and problem-solving, may be related to how parents manage difficulties in mealtimes and mealtime stress. There may also be demographic differences, such as sex of child with T1D and race/ethnicity of parent and child, in mealtime patterns. This study seeks to better understand psychosocial and demographic variables associated with problematic parent mealtime behavior soon after the child’s T1D diagnosis.