Division of Responsibility: A dietitian’s role

It can be difficult for caregivers to know the best feeding practices when they are inundated with conflicting information from specialists, doctors, fellow parents, etc. Division of Responsibility (DOR) is a concept created by Ellyn Satter in the 1980s that outlines the family’s roles in feeding a child.  

This can serve as a guide for when, where, what, and how much to feed children. Appropriate implementation of DOR has been associated with lower nutrition risk in children. Additionally, it is thought to lessen stressful mealtimes for the family and set children up to become intuitive eaters as adults.  

As a dietitian, it’s important to consider that no two family systems are the same, meaning that DOR may not work for everyone. Outlined below is what Division of Responsibility looks like in practice, and some of the factors to consider if/when recommending DOR to a family.  

Extremes caregivers may fall into

1. Taking a hands-off approach and letting children fend (and feed) for themselves. If a child takes on all the responsibility before they are developmentally ready, this can create confusion and instability. Without having adults model consistent eating habits, children may not learn how to appropriately feed themselves. 
2. Controlling as many of their child’s eating habits as possible. This approach is often an attempt to protect and maintain their health. Naturally, caregivers want to set children up for success in all facets of life. Yet, in doing so, children can struggle with being able to identify their body’s internal hunger and fullness cues as they move into adulthood. 

Both scenarios can lead to children feeling a lack of confidence in making food-related decisions, disordered eating patterns, and/or potentially develop into an eating disorder. DOR offers more of a middle-path option for feeding.  

Roles in the Division of Responsibility

Below are the roles of the caregiver, child, and dietitian when considering the implementation of Division of Responsibility:

A caregiver’s role 

• Identify when meals and snacks will be served  
• Decide where the family will eat 
• Determine what food will be served  

A child’s role 

• Decide whether or not they will eat the food served. The child can choose not to eat anything if that’s what they prefer. 
• Choose how much of each component to eat. This also means that if a child wants seconds or thirds of any item, they can have it. 

A dietitian’s role 

• Determine which caregivers are appropriate to recommend DOR based on several factors, such as schedule, availability, and burnout level. 
• Determine which children are appropriate for DOR based on a variety of factors, such as age/maturity level, neurodivergence, independence, medical needs, and current relationship with food. 
• Identify which, if any, roles of DOR need to be changed. There are aspects of DOR that can be adjusted to meet the family’s needs.  
• Address potential growing pains that can come with DOR. For some, particularly caregivers who are used to taking on the child’s roles, DOR can feel too liberalized. It can be difficult for caregivers to trust that their child can make those decisions, especially when they’ve never had the opportunity to do so. Preparing caregivers in advance for this adjustment and encouraging them to trust the process is crucial for DOR to be an effective, sustainable feeding method. 

Is Division of Responsibility appropriate?

These are questions to consider when determining if DOR is right for the family:

• Does the child binge or emotionally eat? If so, DOR may feel restrictive. The child may be more inclined to hide food or secretly eat outside of feeding times. 
• Do caregivers believe the child should diet? If so, the child may see DOR as a form of punishment; this can exacerbate an eating disorder or create disordered eating behaviors. A dietitian can provide foundational education regarding the child’s nutritional needs related to their body size and remind caregivers of the intention behind implementing DOR. 
• Do caregivers engage in their own dieting? If so, their food beliefs may cause the child to view DOR as a restrictive diet. Again, it’s important that caregivers understand their child’s needs and the purpose of DOR. 
• Is the child neurodivergent? If so, DOR may not align with the child’s overall needs. For example, a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have difficulty connecting with their hunger/fullness cues or have the most success completing a meal in front of the television, which can make DOR difficult to implement. DOR can possibly feel non-affirming or punishing and perpetuate trauma related to their neurodivergence.  
• Does the family have time, money, and resources to implement DOR principles? If not, the child will likely be able to pick up on the inconsistency of following DOR. This can lead to the child feeling like a burden.  
• Are there certain aspects of DOR that the family can do? Perhaps a modified version of DOR may feel more accessible for some families. For instance, maybe the child decides where they eat or what time they eat snacks. The dietitian can work with the family to determine what roles make sense for each family member.  

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References

Raise a healthy child who is a joy to feed: Follow the division of responsibility in feeding. Ellyn Satter Institute website. https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/the-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding/. Accessed July 6, 2025. 

Ruder EH, Lohse B. The sDOR.2-6y™ Is a Valid Measure of Nutrition Risk Independent of BMI-for-Age z-Score and Household Food Security Status in Preschool Aged-Children. Nutrients. 2024;16(767)1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060767 

Sherry A. Division of Responsibility: Ultimate Guide for Moms. Nourish Her website. https://nourishher.com/division-of-responsibility/. Published April 10, 2025. Accessed July 6, 2025.