Ellyn Satter Bio

Photo of Ellyn Satter SmilingThe non-profit Ellyn Satter Institute is named for Ellyn Satter and was created to carry on the legacy of her work.

Ellyn Satter is an internationally recognized authority on eating and feeding whose work has been transformative for individuals, families, and professionals who support others with eating and feeding. She is a dietitian, family therapist, author, trainer, publisher, and consultant. During her over 40-year clinical career, she worked first as a registered dietitian in an outpatient medical practice, then as a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in family-based treatment of eating disorders.

Research with the Satter Eating Competence Model (ecSatter) and the Satter Feeding Dynamics Model (fdSatter) gives ample evidence for changing the nutrition and health paradigm from control to trust.1 Being self-trusting and positive with respect to food, eating and feeding does more for nutritional, medical, and emotional health than adhering to a set of rules about what to eat and not eat. Following sDOR reduces children’s nutritional risk2 and raises them to be EatC.

Satter on children and their eating

Across a range of childhood feeding, growth, and nutrition issues, and in the context of the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR), fdSatter supports normal development and emphasizes respecting children’s innate abilities with eating and growth. Satter created the term feeding relationship, demonstrated its role in children’s nutritional well-being, and interpreted the dietitian’s role in supporting sDOR.3 Building on that early definition, Satter outlined feeding dynamics considerations in developmental aspects of feeding and defined characteristics of children and parents prone to develop feeding problems4 Satter addressed diagnosing 5 and intervening,6, 7 with childhood feeding problems. Satter recommended supporting children’s internal regulation and the evolution of their normal growth in addressing child “obesity,”8 pediatric undernutrition,8, 9 and cardiovascular disease.10 Satter collaborated in the development of sDOR.2-6y using cognitive interviewing11 and validation using mealtime video-capture.12 

Satter on adults and their eating

Satter defined the Satter Eating Competence Model (ecSatter)13 and outlined eating competence (EatC)-based nutrition education14 and the hierarchy of food needs.15 ecSI 2.0 has been translated into multiple languages. Extensive research has established ecSatter as a viable foundation for nutrition policy.

Satter’s books

Satter’s books are accessible and entertaining enough for the lay public and evidence- based enough for professionals. In Ellyn Satter’s Child of Mine: Nurturing a Confident and Joyful Eater, emphaszied a paradigm shift from control to trust in child feeding. In Your Child’s Weight: Helping without Harming, Satter clarified and supported the parent’s role in addressing child weight issues from birth through adolescence. In Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family, Satter addressed adult EatC, feeding so children can eat well, and family food management. Satter’s Feeding with Love and Good Sense series of feeding booklets distills her advice for infants, young children, school-aged children and adolescents. Feeding Yourself with Love and Good Sense addresses adults and their eating.

References

  1. Satter E. ecSatter is Correlated with Superior Wellness Indicators. Ellyn Satter Institute. https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-ecSatter-wellness-indicators.pdf
  2. Lohse B, Mitchell DC. Valid and reliable measure of adherence to Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021;53:211–222.
  3. Satter EM. The feeding relationship. J Am Diet Assoc. 1986;86:352–356.
  4. Satter E. Feeding dynamics: helping children to eat well. J Pediatr Health Car. 1995;9:178–184.
  5. Davies WH, Satter E, Berlin KS. Reconceptualizing feeding and feeding disorders in interpersonal context: the case for a relational disorder. J Fam Psychol. 2006;20:409–417.
  6. Satter E. The feeding relationship: problems and interventions. J Pediatrics. 1990;117:S181–S189.
  7. Satter E. The Feeding Relationship. In: Kessler DB, Dawson P, eds. Failure to Thrive and Pediatric Undernutrition. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; 1999:121–149.
  8. Satter E. The Satter Feeding Dynamics Model of child overweight definition, prevention and intervention. In: O’Donahue W, Moore BA, Scott B, eds. Pediatric and Adolescent Obesity Treatment: A Comprehensive Handbook. Taylor and Francis; 2007:287–314.
  9. Satter E. Internal regulation and the evolution of normal growth as the basis for prevention of obesity in childhood. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996;96:860–864.
  10. Satter E. A moderate view on fat restriction for young children. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000;100:32–36..
  11. Lohse B, Satter E, Arnold K. Development of a tool to assess adherence to a model of the division of responsibility in feeding young children: using response mapping to capacitate validation measures. Child Obes. 2014;10:153–168.
  12. Lohse B, Satter E. Use of an observational comparative strategy demonstrated construct validity of a measure to assess adherence to the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2021;121:1143–1156.e6.
  13. Satter E. Eating Competence: definition and evidence for the Satter Eating Competence Model. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2007;39:S142–S153.
  14. Satter E. Nutrition education with the Satter Eating Competence Model. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2007;39 (suppl):S189–S194.

 

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