Table 2 Average number of communications by teacher type across three mealtime observations

Supportive Communications

Positive comments – Teacher Focus. (e.g., I am really enjoying the peas today. Yummy.)

.90

(1.36)

0–5

1.33

(1.52)

0–6

.58

(0.95)

0–5

1.07

(1.20)

0–5

.88

(1.07)

0–4

.49

(0.78)

0–3

1.98

(2.17)

0–9

2.12

(1.93)

0–7

1.09

(1.34)

0–6

Positive comments – Food Focus

(e.g., The food is so bright and colorful. We have all the food groups today!)

.95

(1.42)

0–5

.98

(1.49)

0–7

.26

(0.60)

0–2

.57

(1.68)

0–11

.42

(0.82)

0–3

.17

(0.45)0–2

1.54

(2.51)

0–14

1.41

(1.83)

0–7

.46

(0.92)

0–3

Hunger cues (Are you full? How does your belly feel?)

.16

(.45)

0–2

.39

(1.19)

0–8

.13

(0.34)

0–1

.15

(0.48)

0–3

.16

(0.46)

0–2

.11

(0.53)0–3

.31

(0.81)

0–5

.56

(1.38)

0–8

.26

(0.61)

0–3

Encourage trying in positive way (Would you like to try the peas?)

1.73

(2.59)

0–14

1.70

(1.72)

0–7

.92

(1.38)

0–5

1.31

(1.87)

0–8

1.30

(1.56)

0–7

.80

(1.21)

0–5

3.05

(3.65)

0–21

2.95

(2.29)

0–8

1.80

(2.19)

0–9

Nutrition Coaching (focus on child experiences; What does it smell like?Have you had this before?)

1.24

(1.45)

0–6

1.44

(1.75)

0–8

1.16

(1.98)

0–7

.87

(1.36)

0–7

.70

(1.32)

0–8

.29

(0.62)

0–3

2.10

(2.34)

0–11

2.12

(2.04)

0–9

1.34

(2.01)

0–7

Exploring foods (focus on food itself; What food group is this? Where does it grow? What are the ingredients?)

3.23

(3.37)

0–18

2.70

(3.13)

0–13

1.61

(1.90)

0–6

2.03

(2.37)

0–9

1.14

(1.86)

0–10

.89

(1.39)

0–6

5.23

(4.37)

0–19

3.85

(3.92)

0–19

2.57

(2.69)

0–9

Total Supportive Communications

8.21

(7.53)

0–39

8.51

(6.03)

0–26

4.66

(4.58)

0–18

6.00

(5.50)

0–27

4.60

(4.15)

0–17

2.74

(2.91)

0–11

14.21

(10.79)

0–61

13.00

(7.31)

0–28

7.51

(6.56)

0–29

Unsupportive Communications

Negative comments about the food served

(I can’t believe we’re having this again. I don’t like peas.)

.05

(0.28)

0–2

.00

(0.00)0

.05

(0.23)

0–1

.08

(0.33)

0–2

.02

(0.13)

0–1

.03

(0.17)

0–1

.13

(0.50)

0–3

.02

(0.13)

0–1

.09

(0.28)

0–1

Pressure to eat. (Eat your food. Take a bite. Clean your plate. Finish.)

3.77

(3.72)

0–17

3.98

(3.39)

0–14

3.08

(2.76)

0–9

3.28

(2.92)

0–12

3.47

(3.75)

0–20

2.74

(2.56)

0–10

7.08

(5.06)

0–23

7.31

(5.55)

0–32

5.86

(4.39)

0–18

Hurries to finish eating

(We’re waiting on you. Let’s hurry so we can go to recess.)

.95

(1.38)

0–6

1.15

(1.53)

0–7

.58

(0.89)

0–4

.52

(0.79)

0–3

.70

(1.20)

0–5

.49

(1.01)

0–4

1.49

(1.77)

0–7

1.81

(2.22)

0–10

1.03

(1.40)

0–4

Discourage manipulating food

(Eat; don’t play. That’s sticky and nasty.)

.89

(1.45)

0–6

.98

(1.36)

0–7

.47

(0.86)

0–3

.69

(0.92)

0–3

.88

(1.23)

0–5

.26

(0.56)

0–2

1.59

(1.84)

0–7

1.80

(1.93)

0–8

.74

(1.25)

0–5

Social Comparison

(e.g., Look how Susie is eating. Eat like her. Your mom is going to be sad.)

.55

(1.52)

0–9

.25

(0.54)

0–2

.32

(0.62)

0–2

.11

(0.41)

0–2

.23

(0.60)

0–3

.17

(0.71)

0–4

.64

(1.65)

0–10

.46

(0.90)

0–4

.51

(1.17)

0–6

Threats (to encourage eating)

(If you don’t eat, you’ll be over here by yourself.)

.02

(0.13)

0–1

.02

(0.13)

0–1

.00

(0.00)

0

.02

(0.13)

0–1

.04

(0.27)

0–2

.00

(0.00)

0

.03

(0.18)

0–1

.05

(0.29)

0–2

.00

(0.00)

0

Indicate preference for unhealthy food. (I wish we were having french fries today.)

.10

(0.35)

0–2

.02

(0.13)

0–1

.08

(0.36)

0–2

.16

(0.55)

0–3

.05

(0.29)

0–2

.06

(0.24)

0–1

.26

(0.84)

0–5

.10

(0.48)

0–3

.14

(0.55)

0–3

Food as a reward. (If you eat your vegetable, you can have dessert).

.08

(0.52)

0–4

.15

(0.44)

0–2

.03

(0.16)

0–1

.03

(0.18)

0–1

.02

(0.13)

0–1

.00

(0.00)

0

.05

(0.22)

0–1

.15

(0.49)

0–2

.00

(0.00)

0

Firm behavioral control (Turn around. Sit up straight. Hands in your lap)

5.84

(4.62)

0–20

5.51

(4.36)

0–17

3.61

(3.36)

0–14

6.38

(5.68)

0–26

4.32

(4.17)

0–23

3.11

(3.03)

0–15

12.23

(8.07)

0–46

9.73

(6.93)

0–39

6.72

(5.04)

0–24

Total Unsupportive Communications^b

6.40

(5.72)

0–25

6.44

(4.83)

0–21

4.61

(3.82)

0–13

4.90

(3.57)

0–15

5.40

(4.67)

0–22

3.74

(2.93)

0–10

11.28

(7.31)

0–31

11.69

(6.91)

1–34

8.37

(5.83)

0–23

Total Communications^c

20.45 (11.37)

0–52

20.13 (11.44)

0–55

12.87

(7.48)

0–31

17.28

(9.89)

0–45

14.32

(9.24)

0–41

9.42

(5.60)

0–23

37.72 (15.83)

10–86

34.39 (15.05)

9–77

22.17 (10.92)

0–42