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So JTH, Nambiar S, Byrne R, Gallegos D, Baxter KA. Designing Child Nutrition Interventions to Engage Fathers: Qualitative Analysis of Interviews and Co-Design Workshops. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2024; 7:e57849. [PMID: 38815260 PMCID: PMC11176881 DOI: 10.2196/57849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fathers play a pivotal role in parenting and child feeding, but they remain underrepresented in intervention studies, especially those focused on disadvantaged populations. A better understanding of fathers' experiences and needs regarding support access and child nutrition information in the context of disadvantage can inform future interventions engaging fathers. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore fathers' experiences; perceived enablers; and barriers to accessing support and information related to parenting, child feeding, and nutrition and to co-design principles for tailoring child nutrition interventions to engage fathers. METHODS Australian fathers of children aged 6 months to 5 years with lived experience of disadvantage participated in semistructured interviews and co-design workshops, primarily conducted via videoconference. Creative analogies were used to guide the ideation process in the workshops. RESULTS A total of 25 interviews and 3 workshops (n=10 participants) were conducted, with data analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation-Behavior model. The interview data illuminated factors influencing fathers' initiation in seeking support for parenting, child feeding, and nutrition, including their experiences. It highlighted fathers' diverse information needs and the importance of an inclusive environment and encouragement. Enablers and barriers in accessing support related to parenting and child nutrition were identified at the individual (eg, personal goals and resource constraints), interpersonal (family support and false beliefs about men's caregiving role), organizational (inadequate fathering support), and systemic levels (father-inclusive practice and policy). Digital data collection methods enabled Australia-wide participation, overcoming work and capacity barriers. Videoconferencing technology was effectively used to engage fathers creatively. Key principles for engaging fathers were co-designed from the workshop data. Interventions and resources need to be father specific, child centered, and culturally appropriate; promote empowerment and collaboration; and provide actionable and accessible strategies on the what and how of child feeding. Fathers preferred multiformat implementation, which harnesses technology-based design (eg, websites and mobile apps) and gamification. It should be tailored to the child's age and targeted at fathers using comprehensive promotion strategies. CONCLUSIONS Fathers faced barriers to accessing support and information related to parenting and feeding that may not adequately address their needs. Future interventions could integrate the co-designed principles to engage fathers effectively. These findings have implications for health service delivery and policy development, promoting father-inclusive practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Tsz Hei So
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Smita Nambiar
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rebecca Byrne
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Danielle Gallegos
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kimberley A Baxter
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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So JTH, Byrne R, Nambiar S, Gallegos D, Baxter KA. "You just have to spread it thin": Perceptions and feeding experiences of Australian fathers of young children living with disadvantage. Appetite 2024; 194:107197. [PMID: 38182055 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107197] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
The role of fathers in feeding is an emerging field within child feeding literature. Fathers have unique contributions to make to family mealtimes and child eating behaviours. However, qualitative research on fathers' experiences is limited, especially in the context of disadvantage. This study explored fathers' perceptions of their roles and feeding practices and their lived experience of disadvantage through a symbolic interactionism lens. Twenty-five Australian fathers of children aged six months to five years who experienced socioeconomic disadvantage participated in semi-structured interviews. Five themes were constructed from reflexive thematic analysis: (i) responsibilities for foodwork are based on strengths, opportunities, and values, (ii) negotiating fatherhood identity from a place of tension to acceptance, (iii) struggling with financial and mental strain, and food insecurity, (iv) managing adversity whist prioritising feeding children, and (v) paternal feeding practices are driven by values, adversity, and emotions. The division of foodwork was contingent on family capability and employment, maternal gatekeeping, paternal attitudes and values, and intergenerational, cultural and gender norms around earning and childrearing. Economic, environmental, and emotional stressors triggered changes to fathers' feeding practices, often contradicting their ideals (e.g., providing alternative meals, using rewards and electronic devices, unstructured settings). Fathers described income and food-based strategies to protect children's food intake, which may involve caregivers forgoing meals. These findings provide insight into fathers' feeding experiences through recognising personal, interpersonal, and systemic enablers and barriers. Promoting optimal feeding practices should include targeted feeding support and broader structural interventions to address inequality. Fathers' experiences as they navigate child mealtime interactions within a context of adversity can be used to inform child feeding interventions to improve child health and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T H So
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Graham Street, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Byrne
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Graham Street, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia.
| | - Smita Nambiar
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Graham Street, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia.
| | - Danielle Gallegos
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Graham Street, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia.
| | - Kimberley A Baxter
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Graham Street, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia.
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