The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between parenting style, dietary macronutrient intake, and growth in toddlers, aged 2.5- to 4-years-old. This study is a continuation of a prior longitudinal study examining the relationship of maternal micronutrients/toxicants and infant cognitive development during infancy. Forty-seven mother-toddler pairs returned to be re-evaluated.
At the returning visit, mothers filled out a demographic and parenting style dimension questionnaire, anthropometric measurements were taken, and a 24-hour recall of the toddler’s diet was completed. Toddler anthropometrics were taken at the returning visits. Two additional 24-hour recalls of the toddler’s diet were completed over the telephone with a primary caregiver.
Descriptive statistics showed mothers were predominately white, well-educated, and married. Additionally, the majority of children were of normal weight and mothers had a mean BMI of 25.36. Toddler diet revealed children consumed slightly over recommendations with a mean caloric intake of 1559 calories per day.