Final answer:
Overeating in preschool-age children can be associated with parents controlling food portions, which can hinder the children's ability to self-regulate energy intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
Overeating and poorer self-regulation of energy intake in preschool-age children is associated with parents assuming control of food portions and coercing children to eat. Having a restrictive environment towards food and parents controlling portion sizes can contribute to overeating as children do not develop their own cues for hunger and fullness. In contrast, family-style meal service or allowing children to serve themselves may help them learn to regulate their energy intake better. Dietary habits established in childhood, including physical activity and healthy eating, are a fundamental part of a child's education and can significantly impact their future health risks, including the development of obesity which can possibly lead to type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.