Experiences of Parent Peer Nutrition Educators Sharing Child Feeding and Nutrition Information

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of parents as peer educators disseminating nutrition and child feeding information. Parents of infants aged from birth to three years were trained as peer educators in a face-to-face workshop, and then shared evidence-based child feeding and nutrition information via Facebook, email, and printed resources for six months to peers, family, and social media contacts. Semi-structured telephone or group interviews were conducted after a six-month online and face-to-face peer nutrition intervention period investigating peer educator experiences, barriers, enablers of information dissemination, and the acceptability of the peer educator model. Transcripts from interviews were independently coded by two researchers and thematically analysed. Twenty-eight participants completed the study and were assigned to either group or individual interviews. The cohort consenting to the study were predominantly female, aged between 25 and 34 years, non-indigenous, tertiary educated, and employed or on maternity leave. Dominant themes to emerge from the interviews included that the information was trustworthy, child feeding practice information was considered most helpful, newer parents were the most receptive and family members the least receptive to child feeding and nutrition information, and sharing and receiving information verbally and via social media were preferred over print and email. In conclusion, parents reported positive experiences as peer nutrition educators, and considered it acceptable for sharing evidence-based nutrition information. Further research may determine the impact on diet quality and the food-related behaviours of babies and young children on a population level.

Study Protocol of the Parents in Child Nutrition Informing Community (PICNIC) Peer Education Cohort Study to Improve Child Feeding and Dietary Intake of Children Aged Six Months to Three Years Old

“…The PICNIC model has been informed by The Food For Kids Mid North Coast (FFKMNC) pilot study [21]. The FFKMNC study reported the experiences of new parents (n = 28) in the role of nutrition peer educators and demonstrated peer to peer education is acceptable with new parents to share evidence based infant nutrition and child feeding messages [21].…”

“…The PICNIC model has been informed by The Food For Kids Mid North Coast (FFKMNC) pilot study [21]. The FFKMNC study reported the experiences of new parents (n = 28) in the role of nutrition peer educators and demonstrated peer to peer education is acceptable with new parents to share evidence based infant nutrition and child feeding messages [21]. Recommendations from the FFKMNC that informed the PICNIC model included recruitment earlier in the parenting cycle (before child aged six months), focusing information on feeding practices which positively influence feeding behaviour, improved access to online content via social media and the creation of a project specific website developed by an established Health Promotion Team within a Health Service framework [21].…”

“…New parents may have limited exposure to evidence-based nutrition and feeding information and be exposed to non-credible information in critical transitional periods in children's growth, development and formulation of food preferences [21]. The prevailing model of health care delivery remains centre-based child and family health care in a community health setting.…”

“…Ninety five percent of Australians aged 18-34 years, the age when most individuals become new parents, own a smart phone mobile with internet capacity [24]. Easy access to the internet and apps exposes parents to diverse sources of child feeding information, which can create confusion for well-intentioned parents [21]. Trustworthy online sites and content are therefore critical in enabling effective use of these sources for as a health information source for parents [23].…”

“…Social media can offer a social interaction mechanism for both individuals and communities [25]. It shows promise as a tool for peer-to-peer education and has been used by parents to access accurate infant feeding advice from other parents [21,26]. More research is required to understand and assess the effect of social media as a health communication tool [25].…”