Changes in intergenerational eating patterns and the impact on childhood obesity

Abstract

Objective To examine intergenerational eating patterns within two sets of families, those with an obese child and those with a normal weight child, and to assess the impact of intergenerational influences on children's eating. Design A qualitative study, incorporating focus groups and semi-structured interviews. SettingSixteen focus groups and twenty-seven semi-structured interviews with different generations. MethodFocus groups were conducted in the community with grandparents, parents and children from different families. This was followed by semi-structured interviews, involving individuals from three generations within families with an obese child and within families with a normal weight child. ResultsAn examination of intergenerational eating has shown that eating patterns have changed regardless of whether or not families have children who are obese. The grandparent's eating patterns were more structured, whereas the children's eating patterns were less so. There have been more changes, and eating is less structured, within those families with an obese child than those families with a normal weight child. ConclusionIt is recommended that approaches to tackling childhood obesity concentrate on the family setting and the ways in which professionals can support families to change eating practices. Future research should formally test the relationship between the concept 'structured eating' and the 'what' of eating, in order to determine whether there is a link between intergenerational eating patterns and childhood obesity.

A focus group study of healthy eating knowledge, practices, and barriers among adult and adolescent immigrants and refugees in the United States

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