Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Toddlers: A Qualitative Study of Caregivers’ Understanding of Expert Recommendations and Perceived Barriers to Adherence

Abstract

Background. Despite expert recommendations, most toddlers consume sugary drinks and more sweet and salty snack foods than fruits and vegetables as snacks. Studies have examined toddler caregivers’ reasons for providing sugary drinks, but few have examined the reasons for providing nutritionally poor snack foods. Methods. Researchers conducted focus groups in one low-income community to assess caregivers’ familiarity, understanding and attitudes regarding healthy drink and snack recommendations for toddlers. A convenience sample of 24 caregivers of toddlers (12–36 months) participated. Researchers conducted a descriptive analysis of the participants’ familiarity with recommendations and a thematic analysis of the barriers to adherence. Results. Most participants were familiar with recommendations, but many were surprised that some drinks and snack foods are not recommended, and most believed recommendations were not realistic. Common barriers to adhering to recommendations included beliefs about their child’s innate preferences, family modeling and others’ provision of drinks and snacks in and outside the home. Practical barriers included the higher cost and inconvenience of serving fruits and vegetables on-the-go. Conclusion. Similar barriers limited caregivers’ adherence to expert recommendations about healthy snacks and drinks for toddlers. Nutrition education interventions should provide practical strategies for addressing these barriers and enlist childcare and health providers to reinforce recommendations.

Post-Pandemic Feeding Patterns and Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Spanish Toddlers

“…The consumption of soft drinks and fruit juices was adequate in around 77% of the sample and higher in older children without arriving at a statistical significance (p = 0.067). In previous studies, the consumption of these kind of products in toddlers has been linked to the caregiver's perception of them as high nutritional value alternatives for their children feeding [17], emphasizing the necessity for correct nutritional education.…”

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

“…This paper reports on the RF component of a mixed methods study examining beliefs and behaviors related to healthy beverage and snack provision as well as RF in low-income families with young children. The qualitative findings on healthy beverages and snacks have been published elsewhere [ 29 ]. Mixed methods, an increasingly important research approach, aims to better understand a phenomenon through integration of quantitative and qualitative findings [ 30 , 31 ].…”

“…At the time of data collection, about 30% and 40% of residents in the town identified as Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino, respectively [ 36 ]. About 22% of residents received federal nutrition assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and ≥50% of the school children were eligible to receive reduced or free school meals [ 29 ]. Caregivers were recruited via flyers distributed at community organizations serving families with low income (community health centers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC], family resource centers, childcare centers).…”

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“…After the law’s implementation, the proportion of foods and beverages with NSSs, purchases of NSS-containing products, and NSS consumption increased, including among children . Even without national policies targeting sugar reduction, NSS are also widespread in products consumed by children in the US . However, it is not possible to systematically quantify children’s NSS exposure because federal nutrition labeling regulations require listing NSS on the ingredients list but not their quantities.…”