A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological Model

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Childhood eating behaviors result from a complex interplay of familial, social, and environmental factors, influenced by socioeconomic and cultural contexts. These behaviors impact dietary habits, nutritional status, and long-term health. Using the Social Ec...

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Main Authors: Qutaibah Oudat, Sarah E. Messiah, Alia Dawlat Ghoneum, Anas Okour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/388
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author Qutaibah Oudat
Sarah E. Messiah
Alia Dawlat Ghoneum
Anas Okour
author_facet Qutaibah Oudat
Sarah E. Messiah
Alia Dawlat Ghoneum
Anas Okour
author_sort Qutaibah Oudat
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Childhood eating behaviors result from a complex interplay of familial, social, and environmental factors, influenced by socioeconomic and cultural contexts. These behaviors impact dietary habits, nutritional status, and long-term health. Using the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this narrative review synthesizes evidence on key determinants of childhood eating behaviors and proposes a framework for multi-level interventions. <b>Methods</b>: A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, focusing on studies published between January 2014 and September 2024. Keywords related to childhood eating behaviors, familial determinants, and social influences were used to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria centered on empirical research examining how social and familial factors impact childhood eating behaviors within the SEM framework. <b>Results</b>: The review highlights critical determinants, including parental feeding practices, home food environments, peer influences, screen time, school meal programs, and socioeconomic disparities. These factors interact across multiple levels, emphasizing the importance of holistic interventions that target both individual behaviors and broader systemic influences. <b>Conclusions</b>: Addressing childhood eating behaviors requires a multi-level approach that integrates caregiver education, peer-led interventions, improved food environments, and supportive policies. Healthcare providers and policymakers play a crucial role in implementing strategies that foster healthier dietary behaviors and mitigate childhood obesity risks.
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spelling doaj-art-16e650f3108f422d94f55fd3548abcd92025-08-20T02:42:46ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-03-0112338810.3390/children12030388A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological ModelQutaibah Oudat0Sarah E. Messiah1Alia Dawlat Ghoneum2Anas Okour3Department of Population Health, College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USAPeter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USADepartment of Family Medicine, East Carolina University, 101 Heart Drive, Greenville, NC 27834, USADepartment of Population Health, College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Childhood eating behaviors result from a complex interplay of familial, social, and environmental factors, influenced by socioeconomic and cultural contexts. These behaviors impact dietary habits, nutritional status, and long-term health. Using the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this narrative review synthesizes evidence on key determinants of childhood eating behaviors and proposes a framework for multi-level interventions. <b>Methods</b>: A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, focusing on studies published between January 2014 and September 2024. Keywords related to childhood eating behaviors, familial determinants, and social influences were used to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria centered on empirical research examining how social and familial factors impact childhood eating behaviors within the SEM framework. <b>Results</b>: The review highlights critical determinants, including parental feeding practices, home food environments, peer influences, screen time, school meal programs, and socioeconomic disparities. These factors interact across multiple levels, emphasizing the importance of holistic interventions that target both individual behaviors and broader systemic influences. <b>Conclusions</b>: Addressing childhood eating behaviors requires a multi-level approach that integrates caregiver education, peer-led interventions, improved food environments, and supportive policies. Healthcare providers and policymakers play a crucial role in implementing strategies that foster healthier dietary behaviors and mitigate childhood obesity risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/388childhood eating behaviorssocial ecological modelfamily-centered interventionsschool nutritionhealth literacy
spellingShingle Qutaibah Oudat
Sarah E. Messiah
Alia Dawlat Ghoneum
Anas Okour
A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological Model
Children
childhood eating behaviors
social ecological model
family-centered interventions
school nutrition
health literacy
title A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological Model
title_full A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological Model
title_fullStr A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological Model
title_full_unstemmed A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological Model
title_short A Narrative Review of Multifactorial Determinants of Childhood Eating Behaviors: Insights and Interventions Using the Social Ecological Model
title_sort narrative review of multifactorial determinants of childhood eating behaviors insights and interventions using the social ecological model
topic childhood eating behaviors
social ecological model
family-centered interventions
school nutrition
health literacy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/388
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