{"entity": "journal", "iuid": "aa223414a7654914869b4d1f6b2ee771", "timestamp": "2026-09-26T23:02:17.878Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/journal/Appetite.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/journal/Appetite"}}, "title": "Appetite", "issn": "1095-8304", "issn-l": null, "publications_count": 5, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "1527421216024f7da962499664e31864", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/1527421216024f7da962499664e31864.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/1527421216024f7da962499664e31864"}}, "title": "How do young children eat after an obesity intervention? Validation of the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire using the Rasch Model in diverse samples from Australia and Sweden.", "authors": [{"family": "Somaraki", "given": "M", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Ek", "given": "A", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Sandvik", "given": "P", "initials": "P"}, {"family": "Byrne", "given": "R", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Nowicka", "given": "P", "initials": "P"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2022-02-01", "journal": {"title": "Appetite", "issn": "1095-8304", "volume": "169", "pages": "105822", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "Child eating behaviours have consistently been linked to child weight status. Yet, changes in child eating behaviours during early obesity treatment are rarely evaluated. Psychometric evaluation of the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) is common, but results are sample-dependent and included items may not capture the full range of the underlying traits. Rasch analysis can overcome these disadvantages. The aim of this paper was to assess child eating behaviours measured by the CEBQ after a 12-month obesity intervention applying the Rasch model for the validation of the CEBQ. The Rasch-based fit statistics were applied in children from two samples, Australian and Swedish (n = 1724). Changes in eating behaviours amongst children aged 4-6 years were examined in the More and Less RCT for obesity treatment (n = 177), which compared a parenting programme (with and without boosters) against standard treatment. Parents completed the CEBQ at four time points over 12-months. Linear mixed models were applied to estimate treatment effects on the CEBQ, refined according to Rasch, over time. We found that the validity of CEBQ was confirmed after removing 4 items (item fit statistics outside range 0.5-1.5). When the refined CEBQ was used in the assessment of the RCT, there were no differences in parental reports of changes in children's eating behaviours between the parenting programme and standard treatment (group-by-time interactions p > 0.05). However, in the total sample food approach behaviours decreased while fussy eating behaviours increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the refined CEBQ proved to be a valid tool for examining parent-reported child eating behaviours. Early obesity treatment may decrease eating behaviours associated with higher child weight. Future research should address the associations between changes in child weight status and eating behaviours.", "doi": "10.1016/j.appet.2021.105822", "pmid": "34822921", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0195-6663(21)00729-7"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-09-23T12:49:58.086Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T12:49:58.101Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "85f93ca9b8d242f7ae58eead2911d0ec", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/85f93ca9b8d242f7ae58eead2911d0ec.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/85f93ca9b8d242f7ae58eead2911d0ec"}}, "title": "Associations of preschoolers' dietary patterns with eating behaviors and parental feeding practices at a 12-month follow-up of obesity treatment.", "authors": [{"family": "Sandvik", "given": "Pernilla", "initials": "P"}, {"family": "Kuronen", "given": "Sami", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Reijs Richards", "given": "Hannah", "initials": "H"}, {"family": "Eli", "given": "Karin", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Ek", "given": "Anna", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Somaraki", "given": "Maria", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Nowicka", "given": "Paulina", "initials": "P"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2022-01-01", "journal": {"title": "Appetite", "issn": "1095-8304", "volume": "168", "pages": "105724", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "Although dietary patterns are key to the management of childhood obesity, they are rarely assessed and thus poorly understood. This study examines preschoolers' dietary patterns and correlates 12 months after the start of obesity treatment (n = 99, mean age 5.2 years, 52% girls). A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and Lifestyle Behavior Checklist (LBC) were answered by parents to assess children's food intake, eating behaviors, parental feeding practices, and obesity-related behaviors, respectively. Principal component analysis identified dietary patterns based on FFQ data. Through multiple linear regressions we examined correlations between a healthy (HD) and a less healthy (LHD) dietary pattern and mean scores of the CEBQ, CFQ, LBC scales as well as BMI z-scores. The reported intake of items in the LHD decreased after treatment while no differences were found for the HD. Children's eating behaviors, in particular food fussiness, showed consistent associations with diet (b = -0.39, 95% CI -0.63, -0.14 for HD and b = 0.41, 95% CI 0.15, 0.66 for LHD). Feeding practices and obesity-related behaviours were weakly associated with the dietary patterns (HD and Monitoring: b = 0.36, 95% CI 0.09, 0.62; LHD and Screen time b = 0.08, 95% CI 0.01, 0.15). Among the measured variables, eating behaviors had the largest impact on children's dietary patterns. The LHD was associated with a higher BMI z-score but no associations were found between changes in LHD intake and changes in BMI z-scores. Our findings suggest that decreasing food fussiness in children with obesity is key to positive dietary changes. Assessment of children's eating behaviors can help tailor dietary advice and provide support for families of children with obesity.", "doi": "10.1016/j.appet.2021.105724", "pmid": "34606942", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0195-6663(21)00631-0"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-09-23T12:13:27.063Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T12:13:27.090Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "9cac96bcb88c417eb90335cd15708bea", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/9cac96bcb88c417eb90335cd15708bea.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/9cac96bcb88c417eb90335cd15708bea"}}, "title": "Responding positively to \"children who like to eat\": Parents' experiences of skills-based treatment for childhood obesity.", "authors": [{"family": "Ek", "given": "Anna", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Nordin", "given": "Karin", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Nystr\u00f6m", "given": "Christine Delisle", "initials": "CD"}, {"family": "Sandvik", "given": "Pernilla", "initials": "P"}, {"family": "Eli", "given": "Karin", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Nowicka", "given": "Paulina", "initials": "P"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2020-02-01", "journal": {"title": "Appetite", "issn": "1095-8304", "volume": "145", "pages": "104488", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "This study aims to understand the challenges parents of preschoolers with obesity face. We assessed parents' experiences of a group treatment program focused on parenting skills; the treatment program was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial in Stockholm County. After completing the program's 10 weekly sessions, parents were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. In total, 36 parents (67% mothers, mean age 39 years, 33% foreign background, 50% with university degree) were interviewed. Two main themes were developed: Emotional burden and Skills and strength from others. Emotional burden encompassed the parents' experiences of raising a child with obesity. Parents spoke about the difficulties of managing their child's appetite and of seeking help and treatment, as well as their feelings about the social stigma attached to obesity. Skills and strength from others encompassed the parents' experiences of participating in group treatment. Parents reported that they appreciated the practical behavior change techniques taught, especially those regarding food and how to make everyday life more predictable, and said the focus on parenting skills gave them the confidence to apply the techniques in everyday life. Parents also highlighted the strength of the group setting, saying it enabled them to discuss perceived challenges and learn from other parents. Our findings show that childhood obesity carries social and emotional implications for parents, and that an intervention that provides parents with skill-building and a discussion space can help in negotiating these implications. This suggests that childhood obesity intervention programs benefit from including a parent-based approach which offers training in parenting skills and support in managing socially and emotionally challenging situations.", "doi": "10.1016/j.appet.2019.104488", "pmid": "31626835", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0195-6663(19)30742-1"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-09-23T10:11:17.816Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T10:49:36.781Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "36bd19fcd62b4155af4c48523b76dc77", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/36bd19fcd62b4155af4c48523b76dc77.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/36bd19fcd62b4155af4c48523b76dc77"}}, "title": "Perceived child eating behaviours and maternal migrant background.", "authors": [{"family": "Somaraki", "given": "Maria", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Eli", "given": "Karin", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Sorjonen", "given": "Kimmo", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Flodmark", "given": "Carl-Erik", "initials": "CE"}, {"family": "Marcus", "given": "Claude", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "Faith", "given": "Myles S", "initials": "MS"}, {"family": "Osowski", "given": "Christine Persson", "initials": "CP"}, {"family": "Ek", "given": "Anna", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Nowicka", "given": "Paulina", "initials": "P"}], "type": "comparative study", "published": "2018-06-01", "journal": {"title": "Appetite", "issn": "1095-8304", "volume": "125", "pages": "302-313", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "The Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) is a well-established instrument in the study of obesity-related eating behaviours among children. However, research using the CEBQ in multicultural samples is limited. This study aims to identify and examine differences in child eating behaviours as reported by Swedish-born and non-Swedish-born mothers living in Sweden. Mothers (n = 1310, 74 countries of origin, mean age 36.5 years, 63.6% with higher education, 29.2% with overweight or obesity) of children aged 3-8 years (mean age 4.8 years, 18.1% with overweight or obesity) completed the CEBQ. Responses were analysed using CEBQ subscales Food Responsiveness, Emotional Overeating, Enjoyment of Food, and Desire to Drink, clustering into Food Approach, and subscales Satiety Responsiveness, Slowness in Eating, Emotional Undereating, and Food Fussiness, clustering into Food Avoidance. Data were compared across seven regional groups, divided by maternal place of birth: (1) Sweden (n = 941), (2) Nordic and Western Europe (n = 68), (3) Eastern and Southern Europe (n = 97), (4) the Middle East and North Africa (n = 110), (5) East, South and Southeast Asia (n = 52), (6) Sub-Saharan Africa (n = 16), and (7) Central and South America (n = 26). Crude, partly and fully adjusted linear regression models controlled for child's age, gender and weight status, and mother's education, weight status and concern about child weight. The moderation effect of maternal concern about child weight was examined through interaction analyses. Results showed that while Food Approach and Food Avoidance behaviours were associated with maternal migrant background, associations for Food Fussiness were limited. Notably, mothers born in the Middle East and North Africa reported higher frequencies of both Food Approach (except for Enjoyment of Food) and Food Avoidance. The study highlights the importance of examining how regionally-specific maternal migrant background affects mothers' perceptions of child eating behaviours.", "doi": "10.1016/j.appet.2018.02.010", "pmid": "29438715", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0195-6663(17)30693-1"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-09-23T12:40:24.847Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T12:40:24.879Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "d3b08bb3da2c42739ff2a3cd497c95d3", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/d3b08bb3da2c42739ff2a3cd497c95d3.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/d3b08bb3da2c42739ff2a3cd497c95d3"}}, "title": "Water, juice, or soda? Mothers and grandmothers of preschoolers discuss the acceptability and accessibility of beverages.", "authors": [{"family": "Eli", "given": "Karin", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "H\u00f6rnell", "given": "Agneta", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Etminan Malek", "given": "Mahnoush", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Nowicka", "given": "Paulina", "initials": "P"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2017-05-01", "journal": {"title": "Appetite", "issn": "1095-8304", "volume": "112", "pages": "133-142", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "Intake of sugary beverages is strongly associated with weight gain and obesity among children; however, differences between mothers' and grandmothers' attitudes and practices concerning young children's beverage consumption remain unclear. This is notable since about a quarter of families in the US and the UK rely on grandparents as the main providers of informal childcare. The aim of this study is to examine mothers' and maternal grandmothers' attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding preschool aged children's beverage consumption. The analysis focuses on identifying intergenerational similarities and differences, given the potential impact that such differences might have on young children's beverage consumption habits. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews, representing eleven families, were analyzed using thematic analysis. The sample included all mother - maternal grandmother dyads from The Grandparents Study, which took place in Eugene, Oregon, USA. More than half of mothers and grandmothers met overweight/obesity criteria. Among the children (mean age 4.7 years; five girls and six boys), seven met overweight/obesity criteria. Most mothers and grandmothers were unemployed, and most reported an annual household income below 30,000 USD. The analysis identified three thematic categories: 1) mothers and grandmothers agree about the hierarchy of healthiness between and within beverages, though juice occupies an ambivalent position; 2) mothers and grandmothers cite role modeling and the home environment as important in regulating preschoolers' beverage intake; 3) mothers and grandmothers balance between restricting sugary beverages and using these beverages as treats. The results suggest that when mothers and grandmothers use soda, juice, and juice-drinks as treats, they do so within a wider dynamic of balancing practices, and within two intersecting domains: the hierarchy of beverages, including the still ambivalent status of juice as healthy or unhealthy, and the definition of 'special occasion'.", "doi": "10.1016/j.appet.2017.01.011", "pmid": "28089924", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0195-6663(17)30045-4"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-09-23T10:00:46.380Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T10:38:36.634Z"}], "created": "2026-09-23T10:00:46.394Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T10:00:46.394Z"}