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Scott AG, Johnson BJ, Hunter SC. Exploring the influence of context on social norms around Australian parents' food provision using story completion. Public Health Nutr 2024; 27:e110. [PMID: 38576146 PMCID: PMC11036444 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980024000806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the differences in social norms around parents' food provision in different provision contexts and by demographics. DESIGN Qualitative study using story completion methodology via an online survey in September 2021. Adults 18+ with or without children were randomised to one of three story stems focusing on food provision in different contexts; food provision at home (non-visitor), with visitors present and with the involvement of sport. Stories were coded and themed using thematic analysis. A content analysis was performed to determine count and frequency of codes in stories by participant demographics and story assumptions. SETTING Australia. PARTICIPANTS Adults (n 196). RESULTS Nine themes were identified from the data resulting in four social norms around providing healthy foods and justifying non-adherence to healthy eating guidelines, evolution of family life and mealtime values, the presence of others influencing how we engage with food provision and unhealthy foods used as incentives/rewards in sport. Following content analysis, no differences of themes or norms by participant demographics or story assumptions were found. CONCLUSIONS We identified pervasive social norms around family food provision and further identified how contextual factors resulted in variations or distinct norms. This highlights the impact context may have on the social norms parents face when providing food to their children and the opportunities and risks of leveraging these social norms to influence food choice in these contexts. Public health interventions and practitioners should understand the influence of context and social environments when promoting behaviour change and providing individualised advice. Future research could explore parents' experiences of these norms and to what extent they impact food choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia G Scott
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Tarntanya, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
| | - Brittany J Johnson
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Tarntanya, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
| | - Sarah C Hunter
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Tarntanya, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
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Czarniecka-Skubina E, Gutkowska K, Hamulka J. The Family Environment as a Source for Creating the Dietary Attitudes of Primary School Students-A Focus Group Interview: The Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project. Nutrients 2023; 15:4930. [PMID: 38068788 PMCID: PMC10708071 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The family environment plays a crucial role in creating the health behaviours of children and youth. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of parents with children aged 7-12 who represent an influential environment for creating the eating behaviours of children. A qualitative study was conducted using focus-group interviews (FGI) involving 101 parents from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Three categories of parents were identified based on their level of involvement and awareness of nutrition: 'aware', 'determined', and 'relaxed'. Among parents of 10-12-year-old students, an additional category, 'distanced' parents, was identified. The study revealed that parents require support in terms of providing compelling arguments and practical recommendations related to meals and reducing or eliminating their children's consumption of sweets, snacks, fast food, and, in the case of older students, energy drinks. Parents reported that their children had a moderate understanding of the principles of proper nutrition. The majority of respondents viewed this knowledge as primarily theoretical and expressed a need for practical guidance and activities, which they believe should be offered by schools. To achieve positive outcomes in educational activities related to food and nutrition, it is essential to involve children, parents, guardians, teachers, and other school staff in these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina
- Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Krystyna Gutkowska
- Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Jadwiga Hamulka
- Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
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Maudinas R, Barbaza MO, Maigret P. Exposure to screens during meals in infants with functional gastrointestinal disorders. Arch Pediatr 2023:S0929-693X(23)00074-X. [PMID: 37321949 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since meals are a special moment in the parent-infant relationship and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGD) are frequent in infants, this study mainly aimed to describe the frequency of exposure to screens during meals in infants with FGD. METHODS This French non-interventional, cross-sectional, and multicenter study was conducted with FGD infants (aged 1-12 months), consecutively included by private pediatricians and general practitioners. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS Data from 816 infants, included by 246 physicians, were analyzed: mean age: 4.8 ± 2.9 months; FGD: regurgitation (81%), colic (61%), constipation (30%), and/or diarrhea (12%). Overall, 465 infants (57.0%, 95% CI [45.6%-60.4%]) were regularly exposed to screens during meals. Of these exposed infants, 131 (28.2%, 95% CI [24.1%-32.3%]) were directly exposed. Explicative factors of the overall screen exposure during meals were the following: >2 children in the household (p = 0.0112), infant meals in the living room (p < 0.0001) or the dining room (p = 0.0001), and mother or father being blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, or without employment (mother: p = 0.0402; father: p = 0.0375). CONCLUSION This real-world French study showed the high proportion of FGD infants under 12 months of age who are exposed to screens during meals. Our data suggest that information to parents on the potential adverse effects of screen exposure should be reinforced, including for infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Maudinas
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Dijon, Dijon, France.
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Scott AG, Hunter SC, Johnson BJ. Exploring the social norms regarding parents' food provision in Australia using story completion methodology. Appetite 2022; 178:106165. [PMID: 35839939 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Children's diets are not aligned with dietary guidelines, with the social context including social norms being one factor influencing parents' food provision. Little is known about social norms in broad society that parents face when providing food to children. We aimed to determine the social norms surrounding family food provision from the perspectives of Australian adults. This qualitative study used story completion methodology via an online survey to gather hypothetical stories from adults (≥18 years). Participants were presented with a story stem focusing on home food provision. Stories (i.e. data) were coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified from the data (N = 75); 1. Providing a healthy snack, 2. Providing justification for the provision of unhealthy convenience foods, 3. Increasing child autonomy in food provision, 4. Mealtimes are a social occasion, and 5. Contextual factors influencing food provision and social norms. From these themes, social norms were identified around providing healthy foods and justifying non-adherence to healthy eating guidelines and evolution of family life and mealtime values. This study provides new knowledge that there are social norms around parents providing healthy foods and needing to justify non-adherence to healthy eating guidelines, as well as the norm that family life and mealtime values are evolving. This highlights the need to consider the broader context that influences food choices. Furthermore, this study highlights the utility of novel methods in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia G Scott
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sarah C Hunter
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Brittany J Johnson
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
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Rossiter MD, Richard B, Whitfield KC, Mann L, McIsaac JLD. Responsive feeding values and practices among families across the Canadian Maritime provinces. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2022; 47:495-501. [PMID: 35113682 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2021-0692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Children benefit from responsive feeding practices where their internal signals of hunger and satiety are valued and met with prompt, emotionally supportive, and developmentally appropriate responses. Using an online survey, this study describes responsive feeding values and practices among parents of young children (0-5 years) (n = 1039) across 3 Canadian Maritime provinces. Independent-samples t-tests and 1-way ANOVA were performed to determine the differences in survey questions related to the responsive feeding practices and values. First-time parents and parents with younger children report implementing more consistently some of the challenging responsive feeding practices, such as avoiding pressuring their children to eat, compared with parents with multiple children and parents with children ages 3-5 years. Parents often have well-intended reasons to encourage their children to eat; however, these can coincide with non-responsive practices with food such as pressuring, rewarding, and restriction. These coercive practices may be ineffective and counterproductive as they reinforce reasons to eat unrelated to appetite and self-regulation. Preschool and early feeding interventions that support parents in understanding normal child development, including typical eating behaviours and self-regulation, could help to equip them for challenging feeding experiences and encourage long-term responsive feeding practices. Novelty: First-time parents and parents with younger children report more consistently avoiding pressuring their children to eat, compared with parents with multiple children and parents with children ages 3-5 years. Parents often have well-intended reasons to encourage their children to eat; however, these can coincide with non-responsive practices such as pressuring, rewarding, and restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D Rossiter
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Brenna Richard
- Department of Child & Youth Study, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kyly C Whitfield
- Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Linda Mann
- Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jessie-Lee D McIsaac
- Department of Child & Youth Study, Faculty of Education, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Healthy Populations Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Dishing on dinner: a life course approach to understanding the family meal context among families with preschoolers. Public Health Nutr 2020; 24:1338-1348. [PMID: 32686634 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020001779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Family meals promote healthful dietary intake and well-being among children. Despite these benefits, family meal participation typically declines as children age. This study utilises life course theory to explore parents' perceptions of family meals in order to understand how parents' past experiences with family meals (in childhood and earlier in adulthood) influence their current beliefs and practices regarding mealtimes with their own children. DESIGN Semi-structured qualitative interviews. SETTING In-person interviews were conducted in participants' homes. PARTICIPANTS Twenty families (twenty-one mothers and fifteen fathers) with a child aged between 18 months and 5 years. RESULTS Thematic analysis revealed that families seemed to primarily approach mealtimes from one of three overarching orientations: meals for (1) Togetherness, (2) Nutrition Messaging or (3) Necessity. These orientations were informed by parents' own mealtime experiences and significant life transitions (e.g. parenthood). The current family meal context, including the messages parents shared with their children during mealtimes and the challenges experienced with mealtimes, characterised the orientations and families' approaches to mealtimes. CONCLUSIONS Parents' own early life experiences and significant life transitions influence why families eat meals together and have important implications for the intergenerational transmission of mealtime practices. Results may help to inform the content and timing of intervention strategies to support the continuation of frequent family meals beyond the preschool years.
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Factors Influencing Children's Eating Behaviours. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10060706. [PMID: 29857549 PMCID: PMC6024598 DOI: 10.3390/nu10060706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 504] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Relevant factors involved in the creation of some children’s food preferences and eating behaviours have been examined in order to highlight the topic and give paediatricians practical instruments to understand the background behind eating behaviour and to manage children’s nutrition for preventive purposes. Electronic databases were searched to locate and appraise relevant studies. We carried out a search to identify papers published in English on factors that influence children’s feeding behaviours. The family system that surrounds a child’s domestic life will have an active role in establishing and promoting behaviours that will persist throughout his or her life. Early-life experiences with various tastes and flavours have a role in promoting healthy eating in future life. The nature of a narrative review makes it difficult to integrate complex interactions when large sets of studies are involved. In the current analysis, parental food habits and feeding strategies are the most dominant determinants of a child’s eating behaviour and food choices. Parents should expose their offspring to a range of good food choices while acting as positive role models. Prevention programmes should be addressed to them, taking into account socioeconomic aspects and education.
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Verhage CL, Gillebaart M, van der Veek SMC, Vereijken CMJL. The relation between family meals and health of infants and toddlers: A review. Appetite 2018; 127:97-109. [PMID: 29654851 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Family meals are associated with multiple health benefits in children and adolescents including evidence that eating together as a family may play a role in reducing childhood obesity. The current review aims to investigate whether the beneficial health effects of the family meal also apply to infants and toddlers. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycInfo were searched and 14 empirical studies were identified. The findings were discussed according to frequency of having a family meal and parental perception, associations between the family meal and health aspects (e.g., eating behaviors and diet quality) and causal influences of these associations. Descriptive data showed that mothers offer food at a structured mealtime, but that eating together as a family was not always upheld. The frequency of family meals was positively associated with more nutrient-dense food intake and a more balanced diet. Different advantages (e.g., social importance, practical considerations) and obstacles (e.g., planning, possible mess) of the family meal were mentioned by parents. Further, having structured mealtimes and family meals was associated with more food enjoyment and less fussy and emotional eating. Finally, no causal studies were identified. The limited number of studies suggests that the pattern of positive associations between family meal and child health which has been shown in older children may also exist in infants and toddlers. More specific research is needed to examine the causality of the associations between the family meal and health of the infant and toddler. The associations between the family meal and less fussiness and emotional eating, more food enjoyment and better nutrient intake suggest that the family meal is a valuable moment to promote healthy eating in toddlers and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal L Verhage
- Danone Nutricia Research, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Marleen Gillebaart
- Utrecht University, Social, Health, and Organizational Psychology, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Shelley M C van der Veek
- Leiden University, Institute of Education and Child Studies, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Schwartz C, Vandenberghe-Descamps M, Sulmont-Rossé C, Tournier C, Feron G. Behavioral and physiological determinants of food choice and consumption at sensitive periods of the life span, a focus on infants and elderly. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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