Although evidence exists of the association between children's
temperament and weight, only few studies have examined how temperament
is associated with actual food consumption among preschoolers. We
examined concurrent associations between children's temperament and the
consumption of different foods, and investigated whether the association
between children's temperament and vegetable consumption
is mediated by vegetable-related parenting practices. We utilized the
data from the cross-sectional DAGIS study of 864 preschool children aged
between three to six and their families, conducted between 2015 and
2016 in Finland. The parents reported their children's temperament, food
consumption, and their vegetable-related parenting practices. Adjusted
logistic regression analyses found positive associations between
surgency and vegetable consumption as well as between effortful control
and vegetable consumption. Both associations were mediated by one
examined vegetable-related parenting practice: enhanced availability and
autonomy support. No associations were found between children's
negative affectivity and food consumption or vegetable-related parenting
practices. In conclusion, children's temperament may be an important
factor behind food-related parenting practices and children's diet.
However, further longitudinal research and research covering different
food-related parenting practices and home environment factors is
necessary to better understand the complex associations between
temperament and food consumption among young children.