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Kim KW, Wallander JL, Kim B. Associations of Broader Parental Factors with Children's Happiness and Weight Status through Child Food Intake, Physical Activity, and Screen Time: A Longitudinal Modeling Analysis of South Korean Families. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:176. [PMID: 38397667 PMCID: PMC10888306 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated how broader parental factors including parental happiness, parental play engagement, and parenting stress are related to Korean children's happiness and weight status across three years via indirect pathways through the children's energy-related behaviors of healthy and unhealthy food intake, physical activity, and screen time. Data from 1551 Korean parent pairs and 7-year-old children in the Panel Study on Korean Children were analyzed. A path analysis and gender-based multi-group analysis were conducted. Maternal happiness was negatively related to child screen time. Maternal play engagement showed positive concurrent associations with child healthy food intake and physical activity and negative associations with screen time. Maternal parenting stress was negatively related to child healthy eating. There was one significant finding related to fathers' role on children's energy-related behaviors, happiness, and weight status: the positive association between parental happiness and boys' unhealthy food intake. Child screen time was positively related to child weight status and negatively to child happiness at each age. Broader maternal parenting factors can serve as a protective factor for childhood happiness and weight status in 7-to-9-year-olds through being associated with a reduction in child screen time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay W. Kim
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Jan L. Wallander
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Bokyung Kim
- Simple Steps Community Connection, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
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Moura AF, Grønhøj A, Aschemann-Witzel J. Spicing up food interactions: Development of a healthy food education activity targeting fathers and their young children. J Hum Nutr Diet 2023; 36:1795-1810. [PMID: 37158136 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood obesity rates have been rapidly increasing worldwide. Several actions to reduce this trend have addressed maternal feeding practices. However, research reports an unwillingness to taste healthful foods expressed by children and fathers, which represents a major obstacle to a healthy diet in the family household. The present study aims to propose and qualitatively evaluate an intervention to increase fathers' involvement with their families' healthy eating through exposure to new/disliked healthy foods. METHODS Fifteen Danish families took part in a 4-week online intervention involving picture book reading, a sensory experience session and the cooking of four recipes with four targeted vegetables (celeriac, Brussels sprouts, spinach and kale) and two spices (turmeric and ginger). Interviews were conducted with the families and the content was analysed through a blended or abductive approach. RESULTS Participating in the activities motivated children and fathers to try new vegetables and spices, and increased fathers' sense of self-efficacy toward cooking, tasting new foods and healthy feeding. For the family, the intervention acted as a trigger to consume a higher variety of vegetables and spices and prompted feelings of "food joy". The outcomes observed are of importance considering the relatively low cost and the remote approach of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight the fact that fathers play an important role in the home food environment. We conclude that fathers should be included to a higher extent in food and nutrition strategies aimed at promoting healthy weight development in their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Ferreira Moura
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Management, BSS, MAPP Centre for Research on Value Creation in the Food Sector, Aarhus University, Aarhus V, Denmark
| | - Alice Grønhøj
- Department of Management, BSS, MAPP Centre for Research on Value Creation in the Food Sector, Aarhus University, Aarhus V, Denmark
| | - Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
- Department of Management, BSS, MAPP Centre for Research on Value Creation in the Food Sector, Aarhus University, Aarhus V, Denmark
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Moura AF, Philippe K. Where is the father? Challenges and solutions to the inclusion of fathers in child feeding and nutrition research. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1183. [PMID: 37337169 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15804-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite an increasing acknowledgement of fathers' involvement in and impact on children's lives, fathers remain underrepresented in child feeding and childhood obesity prevention research, interventions, and actions. Built on our own experiences with conducting research with fathers and recent evidence on this topic, this Research in Practice article has three aims. It will first substantiate the importance of including and studying fathers in the field of child feeding and childhood obesity prevention based on recent study results. Secondly, the article will present and discuss barriers to fathers' inclusion and participation (why isn't it happening?), among other issues, by drawing on sociological and gender ideological insights. Finally, it will provide recommendations and suggestions related to recruitment, focus and methods that can facilitate fathers' involvement in future research, interventions, and practice. Taken together, this article aims to provide tools for giving fathers a voice in the field of child nutrition and by doing so, to decrease maternal-only "burden" of care. We hope our experiences and theoretical reflections will inspire and support researchers and practitioners to be as successful as possible in the realm of family care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia F Moura
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.
- Department of Management, Business and Social Sciences Faculty, MAPP Centre for Research On Value Creating in the Food Sector, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Kaat Philippe
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de L'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, F-21000, France
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Belfield, Ireland
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Sachdeva S, Gupta S. Knowledge, Attitude and Involvement of First-Time Fathers in Infant and Young Child Feeding and Care Practices. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCE JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.12944/crnfsj.10.3.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Father’s role is as important as a mother’s in the early years of life to ensure optimum growth and development of the baby. But in most societies, it is often linked with just earning money for the child and the entire family. The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and involvement of first-time fathers in infant and young child feeding and care practices, and their relationship with each other. The influence of select personal and family factors of the fathers was also studied on these aspects. A total of 60 first-time fathers having only one child in the age group of 6 months to 3 years residing in the National Capital Region of India constituted the study sample. A questionnaire schedule was administered to gather information on general and family characteristics, child’s profile, and knowledge, attitudes and involvement of the fathers in infant and young child feeding and care practices. Findings revealed that the total knowledge scores of maximum fathers (43%) were ‘average’. Nearly 60% and 38% fathers respectively had ‘very good’ and ‘good’ total attitude scores. High percentage of fathers had ‘good’ (43%) and ‘very good’ (30%) total involvement scores related to their infant/young child feeding and care practices. A weak but significant positive correlation was found only between knowledge and involvement scores of the fathers (r=0.277, p<0.05). Attitude scores of the fathers were found to be influenced by their occupation while their involvement scores were influenced by their age, and monthly family income. The study indicated that even though the knowledge of the first-time fathers regarding infant and young child feeding practices was average, their attitude regarding these aspects was good, and they also showed a good involvement in these practices. The existing knowledge gaps need to be catered to through suitable timely interventions in order to ensure that fathers can also proactively contribute towards the feeding and care of their infants and young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soni Sachdeva
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shipra Gupta
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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Burnod L, Patterson K, Dickinson K, Coveney J. Sharing the load: Family food provisioning a qualitative exploration of what mothers and fathers believe the father's role should be in food provisioning. Appetite 2022; 176:106101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Beyond the Normative Family Meal Promotion: A Narrative Review of Qualitative Results about Ordinary Domestic Commensality. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18063186. [PMID: 33808698 PMCID: PMC8003368 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There exists a normative representation of family meals in contemporary Western societies which is promoted as imperative through public health programs, larger discourses and by some studies in the nutritional and public health research fields. Family meals, also called domestic commensality, are represented as convivial events and are associated with positive health and wellbeing outcomes but there is minimal evidence to show they are beneficial for family members and it is not known which aspect of the family meal could be responsible for these alleged benefits. This normative family meal image is based on a representation of the family as a peaceful unit exempt from external constraints. This narrative literature review of qualitative studies of family meals seeks to put forward the underlying premises of this representation and compare it with reports about actual practices. The results emphasize that eating together is still practiced and remains valued by family members, which is in contrast to discourses lamenting the decline of the family meal. However, the valorisation and recurrence of family meals depends on class, gender and cultural positions. There is a gap between the norm of healthy or convivial and achievable family meals, which can reinforce the so-called "mental load" and "emotion work" of those in charge of feeding the family and heighten inequalities within the household. In fact, there are many challenges to family meals which originate from external constraints or are inherent aspects of family life. The results from this review suggest that we should focus on family meals by taking into account the food work surrounding it and focussing on the interactional aspects of family meals. Ethnographic methods allow the researcher to observe the diversities and complexities of commensality as well as family dynamics and, in doing so, could provide more realistic representations of eating within the family.
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Davison KK, Haines J, Garcia EA, Douglas S, McBride B. Fathers' food parenting: A scoping review of the literature from 1990 to 2019. Pediatr Obes 2020; 15:e12654. [PMID: 32415676 PMCID: PMC8010159 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While food parenting is a robust area of inquiry, studies have largely focused on mothers. Given the diversity of family structures today and increases in fathers' engagement in caregiving, fathers' food parenting warrants attention. OBJECTIVE We present a scoping review of research on fathers' food parenting (1990-2019). Eligible studies included peer-reviewed research published in English documenting fathers' food parenting and presenting results for fathers separate from mothers. RESULTS Seventy-seven eligible studies were identified. Most studies were based in the U.S (63.6%) and utilized a cross-sectional design (93.5%). Approximately half of studies used a validated measure of food parenting (54.5%) and slightly less than 30% utilized theory (28.6%). Many studies did not report information on fathers' residential status (37.7%) or their relationship to the target child (biological vs social) (63.6%). Content analysis of study findings showed that: fathers are involved in food parenting, but at lower levels than mothers; there are few consistent mother-father differences in food parenting practices; and fathers' controlling food parenting is linked with negative nutrition outcomes in children while responsive food parenting is linked with positive child outcomes. CONCLUSION To better inform family interventions to prevent childhood obesity, future food parenting research with fathers should recognize the diversity of family structures and utilize prospective, theory-based, designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten K Davison
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jess Haines
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evelin A Garcia
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Douglas
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brent McBride
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
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Lauridsen DS. Between blame and care: women's 'needs talk' about obesity interventions in prenatal care. SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS 2020; 42:758-771. [PMID: 31975525 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant women's weight is no longer a private life situation, but a public health issue. In western prenatal care policies, pregnant women with a high body mass index (BMI) are targeted as a high-risk group in need of extra prenatal care to prevent pregnancy complications and childhood obesity. Recent studies argue that such targeting leads to a number of unintended negative consequences for women such as stigmatisation and mother blame. While targeting based on BMI increases the surveillance of women's weight and behaviour in pregnancy, it might also provide extra care and services for women. This article draws on Nancy Fraser's concept of 'needs talk' to investigate how women interpret Danish prenatal care services provided to meet the 'obese' pregnant women's needs. The analysis shows that women engage ambivalently with claims about their needs and who they 'are' as these are formulated by health authorities. Some claims and assumptions about the 'obese' pregnant woman are accepted. Others are rejected or redefined. The article concludes by discussing maternal ambivalence about the obesity discourse in relation to the 'obese' pregnant woman as a category that positions women between being blamed and receiving extra prenatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drude Skov Lauridsen
- Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Rahill S, Kennedy A, Kearney J. A review of the influence of fathers on children's eating behaviours and dietary intake. Appetite 2020; 147:104540. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Jansen E, Harris H, Rossi T. Fathers' Perceptions of Their Role in Family Mealtimes: A Grounded Theory Study. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 52:45-54. [PMID: 31561968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examines how fathers negotiate the role of feeding with other family members, and how this both impacts and is shaped by the structure of mealtimes. DESIGN Six separate focus groups. SETTING South East Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS Fathers (N = 27) of children aged ≤12 years employed in blue-collar occupations or service industries. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST Fathers' perceptions of their role in family feeding. ANALYSIS Grounded theory. RESULTS Two major themes were identified: (1) mealtime structure, reflecting various arrangements and management procedures that give ultimate shape to mealtimes; and (2) division of labor, reflecting the work required to bring about such arrangements and how this work is allocated. These themes were interrelated and harmonized to create family mealtimes. Fathers felt that labor was assigned pragmatically; designated roles around feeding within the family facilitated structured mealtimes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Fathers' roles in balancing the labor and structured mealtimes to feed the family require further research attention, particularly across different family structures, to enhance their engagement in and contribution to the family meal environment. Offering cooking programs and meal planning education to fathers may support them in their different roles and enhance efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Jansen
- Institute of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Holly Harris
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia; Center for Childhood Obesity Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Tony Rossi
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia; School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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The moderating role of parent gender on the relationship between restrictive feeding and a child's self–regulation in eating: Results from mother-only samples may not apply to both parents. Appetite 2019; 143:104424. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Laws R, Walsh AD, Hesketh KD, Downing KL, Kuswara K, Campbell KJ. Differences Between Mothers and Fathers of Young Children in Their Use of the Internet to Support Healthy Family Lifestyle Behaviors: Cross-Sectional Study. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e11454. [PMID: 30674450 PMCID: PMC6364206 DOI: 10.2196/11454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In early life, both mothers and fathers are important influences on their children’s diet, active play, and obesity risk. Parents are increasingly relying on the internet and social media as a source of information on all aspects of parenting. However, little is known about the use of Web-based sources of information relevant to family lifestyle behaviors and, in particular, differences between mothers’ and fathers’ use and sociodemographic predictors. Objective The objective of this study was to examine if mothers and fathers differ in their use of the internet for information on their own health and their child’s health, feeding, and playing and to examine sociodemographic predictors of the use of the internet for information on these topics. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis on data collected from mothers (n=297) and fathers (n=207) participating in the extended Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT Extend) when their children were 36 months of age. The main outcome variables were the use of the internet for information gathering for parents’ own health and child health, feeding, and playing. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the sociodemographic predictors of outcomes. Results Compared with fathers (n=296), a higher proportion of mothers (n=198) used the internet for information on their own health (230, 78.5% vs 93, 46.5%), child health (226, 77.1% vs 84, 42.4%), child feeding (136, 46.3% vs 35, 17.5%), and child play (123, 42.1% vs 28, 14.0%) and intended to use Facebook to connect with other parents (200, 74.9% vs 43, 30.5%). Despite the high use of the internet to support family health behaviors, only 15.9% (47/296) of mothers reported consulting health practitioners for advice and help for their own or their child’s weight, diet, or physical activity. Sociodemographic predictors of internet use differed between mothers and fathers and explained only a small proportion of the variance in internet use to support healthy family lifestyle behaviors. Conclusions Our findings support the use of the internet and Facebook as an important potential avenue for reaching mothers with information relevant to their own health, child health, child diet, and active play. However, further research is required to understand the best avenues for engaging fathers with information on healthy family lifestyle behaviors to support this important role in their child’s life. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN81847050; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN81847050
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Laws
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Centre for Research Excellence in the Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood, Sydney, Australia
| | - Adam D Walsh
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Kylie D Hesketh
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Centre for Research Excellence in the Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood, Sydney, Australia
| | - Katherine L Downing
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Konsita Kuswara
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Karen J Campbell
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Centre for Research Excellence in the Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood, Sydney, Australia
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The role of fathers in overweight prevention: an analysis of a Caribbean cohort. GLOBAL HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GENOMICS 2018; 3:e15. [PMID: 30263139 PMCID: PMC6152493 DOI: 10.1017/gheg.2018.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Family-based strategies to reduce the risk of overweight in childhood are needed in the Caribbean. Aim To investigate the associations between parental characteristics and risk of overweight and explore possible mechanisms. Methods Data from a parenting intervention were analysed. Parental characteristics were obtained by questionnaire at enrolment. At 18 months, 501 infants (82.9% of cohort) had weight and length measured using standardized methods. The association of parents’ characteristics with risk of infant overweight was assessed using random-effects logistic regression. Four focus groups among mothers in Jamaica were conducted to explore mechanisms. Results Overall, 20.6% of infants were ‘at risk of overweight’. Fathers were present in 52% of households. Fathers’ presence [OR (95% CI) 0.60 (0.37–0.96)] was associated with reduced risk of overweight independent of socioeconomic status. Mothers reported that fathers encouraged healthier practices. Conclusion Fathers may be important agents of change in intervention strategies to prevent childhood overweight.
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Mitochondrial mothers of a fat nation: Race, gender and epigenetics in obesity research on Mexican mestizos. BIOSOCIETIES 2017. [DOI: 10.1057/s41292-017-0078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Walsh AD, Hesketh KD, van der Pligt P, Cameron AJ, Crawford D, Campbell KJ. Fathers' perspectives on the diets and physical activity behaviours of their young children. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179210. [PMID: 28604810 PMCID: PMC5467895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Children’s learning about food and physical activity is considerable during their formative years, with parental influence pivotal. Research has focused predominantly on maternal influences with little known about the relationships between fathers’ and young children’s dietary and physical activity behaviours. A greater understanding of paternal beliefs regarding young children’s dietary and physical activity behaviours is important to inform the design and delivery of child-focussed health promotion interventions. This study aimed to describe fathers’ perceived roles in their children’s eating and physical activity behaviours. It also sought to document fathers’ views regarding how they could be best supported to promote healthy eating and physical activity behaviours in their young children. Methods In depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty fathers living in socio-economically diverse areas of metropolitan Melbourne, Australia who had at least one child aged five years or less. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Thematic analysis of the transcripts revealed eight broad themes about fathers’ beliefs, perceptions and attitudes towards the dietary and physical activity behaviours of their young children: (i) shared responsibility and consultation; (ii) family meal environment; (iii) parental role modelling; (iv) parental concerns around food; (v) food rewards; (vi) health education; (vii) limiting screen time; and (viii) parental knowledge. Analysis of themes according to paternal education/employment revealed no substantial differences in the views of fathers. Conclusions This exploratory study presents the views of a socio-economically diverse group of fathers regarding the dietary and physical activity behaviours of their young children and the insights into the underlying perceptions informing these views. The findings suggest that fathers believe healthy eating behaviours and being physically active are important for their young children. Fathers believe these behaviours can be promoted and supported in different ways including through the provision of appropriate meal and physical activity environments and parental role modelling of desired dietary and physical activity behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Walsh
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Kylie D. Hesketh
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Paige van der Pligt
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Adrian J. Cameron
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- Global Obesity Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - David Crawford
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Karen J. Campbell
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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