How Minority Parents Could Help Children Develop Healthy Eating Behaviors: Parent and Child Perspectives

Abstract

Minority children and children living in under-resourced households are at the greatest risk for obesity and diet-related disparities. Identifying effective strategies to reduce these risks is an important step in child obesity prevention. Parents influence the home environment and play a critical role in child obesity prevention. Eighteen parent–child dyads living in under-resourced Houston area communities participated in a mixed methods study (online surveys, telephone interviews). The purpose of the research reported here was to conduct a secondary analysis of the qualitative data to explore Black/African American and Hispanic parent and child perspectives of the ways in which parents could help their children make healthy food choices. Descriptive statistics were calculated for parent and child demographic characteristics; hybrid thematic analysis was used to code and analyze the interview transcripts. Frequencies were calculated for children’s interview responses to rating scales and the grade they gave their eating habits. Mothers’ responses were grouped into two broad categories: facilitators (modeling, availability, and teaching) as ways parents could help their child eat healthy, and barriers (lack of time, cost of healthy foods, and lack of knowledge) to helping their child eat healthy. Alternatively, child responses focused on ways in which parents could provide support: environmental support (home availability, home cooking, and introducing new foods) and personal support (providing child choice, teaching, and encouragement). Most children reported that eating healthy was easy, and most rated their personal eating habits as an A or B. These findings suggest that understanding the perspectives of Black/African American and Hispanic parent–child dyads can provide insight into the development of culturally and economically relevant healthy eating strategies and interventions for families living in under-resourced communities.

Proposal for a school health education program: healthy eating at school

“…Además, dentro de la población diana se incluirán tanto a padres y madres como a personal docente de los centros educativos seleccionados. Esta decisión está fundamentada por nuestro marco conceptual, teniendo en cuenta que los alumnos, pese a tener cierto grado de independencia, no son responsables de la elaboración ni de la elección de los alimentos que consumen a lo largo del día, y por lo tanto resulta crucial que la aplicación del programa sea transversal e involucre a dichos responsables para poder lograr el objetivo [20][21][22] .…”

“…En ausencia de cambios en las políticas a nivel poblacional, deben realizarse intervenciones específicas sobre alimentación enfocadas a los cuidadores de los infantes, ya que es en el entorno familiar en el que se establecen y promueven conductas beneficiosas para la salud a través del ejemplo y la provisión de alimentos saludables, además del apoyo para participar en conductas alimentarias saludables 20,22 .…”

Determining the Impact of Lifestyle on the Health of Primary School Children in Slovenia Through Mixed Membership Focus Groups

“…Research conducted to date has shown that parents, teachers, peers, and health professionals play a critical role in shaping a child’s lifestyle. Creating an environment conducive to healthy habits within the home is one of the many ways parents can encourage healthy behaviors among their children [ 13 ]. Teachers can incorporate physical activity and healthy eating habits into the school curriculum, while peers can influence a child’s behavior through social norms and peer pressure [ 54 ].…”