This study used Family Communication Patterns Theory (FCPT) to explore how familydinner-related communication takes place and how parents' feeding practices may be associated with children's preferences for dinner meals. The sample consisted of 12 dyads with seven-and eight-year-old Norwegian children and their parents. In-depth photo interviews were used for collecting data. Interview transcripts and photographs were examined through content analysis.Results indicated that most families were conversation oriented, and communication tended to shift from consensual during weekdays to pluralistic at weekends. On weekdays, the dinner menu was often a compromise between children's preferences and parents' intentions to provide quick, healthy dinner options for the family. To a greater extent at weekends, children were allowed to choose dinner alternatives for the entire family. Restriction of unhealthy dinner alternatives was the practice most used to control children's diets and, in fact, might explain children's high preferences for unhealthy dinner alternatives. Results underline the importance of giving children control of what they eat and being responsive to children's preferences while guiding them towards healthy dinner alternatives rather than using force and restriction. From a more theoretical perspective, this study explored how FCPT could be combined with theories about parents feeding practices to understand meal preferences and choices among young children and their families, and how time and situation (context) influence families' communication patterns and feeding practices in their homes.

This study explores the coping strategies that families apply when under time 3 pressure and stress (time stress) and how such strategies affect food consumption at dinnertime. 4The data was based on photo interviewing methodology with a sample of 12 Norwegian 5 children (ages seven and eight) and their parents. In this case, the children were asked to take 6 photographs during their dinners at home and while shopping for groceries with their parents. 7The findings show that the most dominant explanation for time stress was the children's 8 participation in sport activities. In this regard, the families applied several coping strategies,

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PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore whether consumers' confidence in cooking skills related to seafood differed across genders, and if such difference could be explained by the identity-relevance of seafood cooking for men.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data was collected from a balanced sample of 515 Norwegian consumers.FindingsThe results showed that men (versus women) with high confidence in their seafood cooking skills have a lower preference for convenient seafood solutions, indicating that these men may be more reluctant to use food products that could hinder the cooking outcome being attributed to their cooking skills.Originality/valueThis study adds nuance to the understanding of male consumers as highly reliant on convenience products when cooking. More specifically, this study provides novel insight into how men function differently than women in relation to preparing seafood, suggesting that some men resist using convenient seafood solutions in order to express an identity as skillful in the kitchen.

Purpose -This paper aims to enhance understanding of the influence of increased food availability and social learning in kindergartens on children's attitudes towards food. In addition, it discusses questions regarding children and their parent's attitudes and seafood consumption at home.Design/methodology/approach -The study employs a qualitative approach that includes semi structured interviews with twenty-four Norwegian children aged 4-6 years, interviewed in pairs. They represented two public kindergartens. One group attended a seafood intervention and the other did not. The intervention comprised seafood served as lunch twice per week, in addition to various educational activities designed to increase children's knowledge of seafood.Findings-Children who attended the seafood intervention used more cognitive associations by describing seafood as healthy. They also expressed more positive attitudes towards seafood compared with the other children. The findings indicate a stronger socialization effect from parents than preschool teachers. Research limitations/implications-The children proved to have limited cognitive and communicative abilities for participation in semi structured interviews. Future studies should consider older samples and/or methods that are more adapted to their cognitive abilities.Results cannot be generalized due to the relative small sample and performed in one culture.Social implications-To promote a healthier diet, children's caregivers and school authorities should make seafood more available. Preschool teachers should be encouraged to eat meals with the children in order to function as positive role models.Originality/value-The study addresses a currently under-researched issue concerning the influence of kindergartens on children's food attitudes towards a specific food category.