Child feeding in rural northern Ghana: Carer's perceptions of food and their children's diets

Understanding maternal food choice for preschool children across urban-rural settings in Vietnam

Improving diet quality of preschool children is challenging in countries undergoing food environment and nutrition transition. However, few studies have sought to understand how mothers in these countries decide what and how to feed their children. This study aims to explore maternal experiences, perspectives and beliefs when making food choice decisions for preschool children in urban, peri-urban and rural areas in northern Vietnam. Two focus group discussions and 24 in-depth interviews were carried out and analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed that mothers across the urban-rural spectrum shared the intention to feed children safe, nutritious food for better health and weight gain while satisfying child food preferences to improve appetite and eating enjoyment. These food choice intentions were embedded within family food traditions, whereby mothers emphasised nutritious food and adopted strict feeding styles during lunch and dinner but were flexible and accommodating of child preferences during breakfast and side meals. These intentions were also embedded within the physical food environment, which provided a mix of healthy and unhealthy food through informal food retailers. Despite these intentions, mothers faced financial constraints and difficulties in managing children's refusal to chew, changes in eating mood and strong eating temperament. These findings support policies to limit the presence of unhealthy food in informal food retail and encourage meal-specific feeding strategies to help children enjoy nutritious food, transition from soft to textured food and become more cooperative during mealtime.

Child feeding in rural northern Ghana: Carer's perceptions of food and their children's diets

A child's diet should be composed of appropriate nutrients to achieve optimal nutritional status, and though there is a substantial evidence base for child feeding recommendations, developing countries continue to face challenges regarding optimal child feeding. This paper describes an ethnographic study undertaken in rural northern Ghana to explore community perceptions of what ‘counts’ as food for children and the impact this had on the nutrients they received. Fifteen households with children under 5 years were purposively selected. In‐depth interviews were held with 25 mothers, 7 fathers and 8 grandparents within these households as well as 2 diviners. Participant observations were also undertaken. Findings show that satiety rather than nutrition was the key consideration in adult choices about a child's diet. The community regarded carbohydrate‐based meals as food, but considered protein, vitamins and mineral‐based foods as nonessential elements of a child's diet, and important sources of these nutrients were regarded as treats.