The Impact of Parental Educational Attainment on Child Nutrition

Abstract

This study addresses the relationship between parental neglect and childhood eating disorders, with emphasis on how affective and nutritional practices within the home influence children's physical and emotional development. Based on a literature review of studies published between 2010 and 2024, academic research and institutional papers exploring the impact of emotional neglect and lack of dietary guidance on the emergence of malnutrition patterns were analyzed. The results indicate that neglect is not always related to poverty, but also to the reproduction of dysfunctional bonds and the lack of healthy affective referents. It is concluded that feeding in childhood not only has a biological function, but also a symbolic one, and that the absence of adequate parental guidance may trigger persistent consequences on the physical and mental health of children. Finally, it is proposed to integrate interdisciplinary approaches that consider both the emotional and educational context in the design of public policies and preventive strategies.