Caregiver perceptions of snacks for young children: A thematic synthesis of qualitative research

Killion, Kate; Harris, Jennifer L.; Duffy, Valerie B.

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2023.106628

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Additionally, in both the survey and focus groups, caregivers frequently reported using food as a behavior control mechanism, which conflicts with RF recommendations and may warrant nutrition messaging. Caregivers commonly use less healthy foods and snacks to manage a child’s behavior, either to prevent “bad” behavior or to reward “good” behavior [ 64 , 65 ]. Such approaches may promote emotional eating and diminish the child’s ability to self-regulate energy intake [ 66 , 67 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responsive Feeding Practices to Promote Healthy Diets: A Mixed Method Study among Low-Income Caregivers with Toddlers

Killion,

Corcoran,

Romo-Palafox

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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Responsive feeding (RF), the reciprocal feeding approach between caregiver and child that promotes child health, is understudied among low-income caregivers. This mixed methods study with low-income caregivers of 12-to-36-month-olds aimed to (1) assess variability in RF and associations with children’s dietary intake, and (2) explore caregivers’ perceptions of RF. Caregivers (n = 134) completed an online survey with RF questions (n = 25), grouped into environmental (meal environment, caregiver modeling, caregiver beliefs) and child (self-regulation, hunger/satiety cues, food for reward, food acceptance) influences scores. Children’s recent food group consumption was loaded onto healthy and less healthy intake scores. In an adjusted multiple linear regression analysis, greater RF scores for environmental and child influences were associated with greater healthy intake scores (p’s < 0.01). Greater scores for environmental influences were also associated with lower scores for unhealthy intake (p < 0.01). From focus groups with a separate sample of caregivers (n = 24), thematic analysis uncovered that two themes aligned (trust in child cues, positive strategies to encourage children to eat non-preferred foods) and two misaligned (lack of trust in child cues, use of force/bribery) with RF. Complementary integration of quantitative and qualitative findings can inform future interventions with low-income caregivers, encouraging trust in young children’s hunger/satiety cues and positive strategies for food acceptance to improve diet quality.

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