Brazilian immigrant fathers’ perspectives on child’s eating and feeding practices: a qualitative study conducted in the United States

Abstract

Objectives: Brazilians comprise a rapidly growing immigrant Latino group in the USA, yet little research has focused on health issues affecting Brazilian children in immigrant families. As increasing evidence is documenting fathers’ influential role in their children’s eating behaviours and ultimately weight status, the current study sought to explore the Brazilian immigrant fathers’ perspectives and practices related to child’s feeding practices and their preschool-aged children’s eating. Design: Qualitative study using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted in Portuguese by native Brazilian research staff using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed thematically using a hybrid approach that incorporated deductive and inductive analytical approaches. Setting: Massachusetts. Participants: Twenty-one Brazilian immigrant fathers who had at least one child aged 2–5 years. Results: Results revealed fathers’ awareness of the importance of healthy eating for their children, their influence as role models and their involvement in feeding routines of their preschool-aged children. Moreover, fathers were receptive to participating in family interventions to promote their children’s healthy eating. Nearly all fathers reported wanting to learn more and to do ‘what’s right’ for their children. Conclusions: The current study provides new information about Brazilian immigrant fathers’ views about factors influencing their children’s healthy eating behaviours and paternal feeding practices. Future research should quantify fathers’ feeding styles and practices and solicit fathers’ input in the design of culturally appropriate family interventions targeting the home environment of preschool-aged children of Brazilian immigrant families.

A Systematic Review of Research on Non-Maternal Caregivers’ Feeding of Children 0–3 Years

“…The common approach was to focus on a single category of caregivers. Eight studies focused exclusively on fathers [ 26 , 37 , 40 , 45 , 48 , 50 , 54 ]. Five studies focused exclusively on grandparents [ 33 , 38 , 42 , 44 , 57 ].…”

“…Fathers’ body mass index and education level and child gender were not associated with perceived responsibility. Lindsay et al [ 48 ] found that Brazilian immigrant fathers perceived a greater role in feeding, relative to fathers in Brazil, since their immigrant status meant they had fewer people to help with child care in the U.S. They also found that fathers who had experienced food insecurity in the past perceived a greater role in feeding.…”

“…Six studies provided information on NMCs’ feeding attitudes [ 39 , 40 , 42 , 46 , 48 , 53 ]. The studies varied widely in the attitudes about which they asked, making summary and comparison across studies difficult.…”

“…Finally, the size of mothers/parents’ child care networks can shape NMCs’ perceptions of their role in feeding. Smaller networks and, in turn, fewer child care resources, such as in some immigrant communities [ 48 ], may translate to a perception of greater responsibility for feeding among NMCs than would be the case with a larger network with greater child care resources. Thus, the amount of child care resources can operate to constrain or facilitate whether and how NMCs engage in feeding.…”

Avancemos! Building Partnerships Between Academia and Underserved Latinx Communities to Address Health Disparities Through a Faculty-Mentored Undergraduate Research Program

“…Students start their research project by completing basic training in research ethics including foundational training in human subjects’ research with a focus on social–behavioral education. Examples of CER projects include mixed-methods research focused on (1) early childhood health promotion and obesity prevention and (2) human papillomavirus–associated cancer prevention (Lindsay, Delgado, et al, 2020; Lindsay, Greaney, et al, 2020; Lindsay, Moura Arruda, et al, 2020; Lindsay, Pineda, et al, 2020; Lindsay, Vianna, et al, 2020; Lindsay, Wallington, et al, 2020).…”