Exploring mealtimes in Australian households with siblings aged 1 to 5 years
The Challenge
The early years of life are marked by rapid physical and cognitive development. During this time, children establish eating behaviours, which can contribute to their long-term health. Research shows that what and how children are fed can play a key role in shaping these behaviours.
To help establish healthy habits, feeding interventions have been developed by researchers around the world, often targeting first-time parents. However, in countries like Australia, most parents have more than one child, yet little is known about the role of siblings in shaping family feeding dynamics. The Feeding Siblings Project aims to understand this role, so that feeding interventions can be better tailored to suit the needs of growing families.
Our Approach
Our research explores mealtimes in families with more than one child. We are focusing on the early years when children are between 1 and 5 years of age. We observed real-life mealtimes and interviewed families across South East Queensland. We then surveyed parents nationwide to learn more about their experiences with feeding.
Our Progress
This project finished in 2024. With the help of families across Australia, we have learnt about the role of siblings in influencing how children experience mealtimes growing up.
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Direct sibling interactions |
From learning through observation to parenting one another, siblings can directly impact what or how much the other eats. For example, we observed siblings encouraging on another and teaching each other about food. At times, siblings also served as sources of distraction, comparison and competition for one another.
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A change to how parents appraoch feeding |
When it comes to feeding, parents tend to learn from experience. They’re better able to trust in their second child’s abilities to self-regulate. But with more kids, also come greater demand on parents to divide their time, attention and resources between them.
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Playing on siblings dynamics – a new parenting tool |
For some families, siblings may serve as another tool in the parenting toolbox. For example, when trying to encourage a child to eat, siblings may be used as role models or for reinforcement at mealtimes.
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Chalk and cheese – how do parents adapt? |
Siblings can differ considerably from one another, including their eating habits. While many parents intend to feed their kids in the same way, they may also change their tactics. For example, by catering to food preferences or changing how strictly rules are enforced.
What does this all mean?
Siblings play an important role in family feeding dynamics. By understanding their differences, we can design tailored feeding programs to better support families.
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