The influence of parental Dietary Behaviors, food literacy and chronotype on Children’s eating habits and psychometric factors

The study aims to investigate the relationship between various psychometric characteristics, such as eating habits, food literacy, chronotype, chrono nutrition, and anthropometric variables, such as age, Body mass index (the range to value the normal or overweight or obesity status) and education, within family units consisting of parents and children. The goal is to analyse the drivers of children's BMI and eating habits, by investigating the interdependence between their dietary patterns and their families' environment. Total of 190 parents complete an online survey comprising validated questionnaires and anthropometric data concerning themselves and their children. The results show that the higher the food literacy was in parents the healthier was eating habit of children, although the better eating habits do not necessarily correspond to a lower child BMI. The chronotype of parents also influenced the children’s chronotype, and parents with a morning chronotype reflect positive eating behaviours in their children. Results confirm the growing part of the literature focusing on the role of chrono nutrition and chronotype in weight-related issues. As obesity is a complex disease, these new prospective emphasise the role of psychometric variable to impact daily eating habits. We provide new cues to extend the current literature on social campaigns - which split children and adults - by suggesting the relevance to integrate the communication strategy to families as a target unit. In conclusion, the study sheds light on the complex relationship between psychometric characteristics, anthropometric variables, and familial environment in determining children's eating habits and BMI.