Meal kits in the family setting: Impacts on family dynamics, nutrition, social and mental health

Fraser, Kylie; Love, Patrick; Campbell, Karen; Ball, Kylie; Opie, Rachelle

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2021.105816

Cited by 22 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In addition, the finding that most fathers in this study were not interested in using commercial meal kits is of interest given the rapid increase in the meal kits market. In contrast to fathers’ views, research has indeed found that mothers report meal kits to be attractive as they reduced the cognitive load associated with planning and preparing healthy home-cooked meals (51) . Given the finding in our study that fathers tended not to engage in planning meals, it is perhaps not surprising that the value of meal kits was not embraced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The contribution of Australian fathers in getting food on the table among families with young children

Kuswara,

Vidgen,

Love

et al. 2023

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To explore how fathers with young children contributed to healthy home food provisioning and the factors enabling or inhibiting their involvement in family food tasks. Design: Cross-sectional study using purpose-designed online survey. The survey assessed the level of responsibilities and practices in family food tasks, food agency (Cooking and Food Provisioning Action Scale), and use of resources to support involvement in family food tasks. Data collection took place over three weeks in November-December 2020 when various COVID-19 related restrictions were in place. Descriptive and regression analyses were used to assess psychosocial factors influencing responsibilities in family food tasks and food agency. Setting: Online survey Participants: Included in the analysis were 435 Australian fathers with children aged under 5 years Results: Between 75-77% of fathers in this study reported having at least half of the responsibilities in meal planning, shopping, and cooking. Health was frequently considered when deciding what to eat, but few used nutrition or food labels when shopping, tried new recipes or modified recipes to make them healthier. Involvement in family food tasks was promoted by a higher food agency, but time spent in employment was a significant barrier to reported food agency and greater involvement in food tasks. There was a high interest in resources to support healthy home food provisioning. Conclusions: The findings suggest the need to consider father-specific strategies to overcome time barriers and opportunities to enhance their capabilities for healthy home food provisioning.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The contribution of Australian fathers in getting food on the table among families with young children

Kuswara,

Vidgen,

Love

et al. 2023

Public Health Nutr.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Not only the convenience of meal boxes was appreciated by both parent groups, also the opportunity to improve cooking skills, and the inspiration they provide to try new dishes (e.g., vegetarian meals), was valued. Even though the use of meal boxes seems to have a positive effect on children (e.g., engaging children in cooking, willingness to try foods) [ 56 ], in our study children seemed to be a barrier to use meal boxes. Some higher SES parents indicated preparing a different meal for their children when using a meal box for themselves, whilst lower SES parents showed concern about whether their children would eat the meals, so to avoid the risk of wasting money.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Intervention strategies to promote healthy and sustainable food choices among parents with lower and higher socioeconomic status

et al. 2022

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Background A global shift towards more healthy and sustainable diets is necessary for the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases, as well as for the growing pressure on our ecosystems. Given that parents are important actors in affecting dietary behaviors of their children, developing intervention strategies targeting families and their practices is promising to reach positive behavior change among children. Also, it is important to tailor these interventions to the needs of parents with different socioeconomic statuses (SES), given that health inequalities continue to grow. This study aims to investigate perspectives of lower and higher SES parents on the usability and acceptability of various innovative intervention strategies. Methods Fourteen focus groups and four individual interviews (n = 78, nlowerSES = 17; nhigherSES = 61) were conducted in Belgium. A semi-structured interview guide was used to facilitate the discussions. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via thematic content analysis using NVivo. Results To encourage healthy and sustainable food choices, interventions via online food shopping platforms and nudging strategies in grocery stores were mostly cited by higher SES parents, but these were less applicable for lower SES parents as they buy less online and mainly consider the price of products. Mobile applications that provide inspiration for healthy and sustainable recipes and easily accessible shopping lists received moderate support among lower and higher SES parents. Furthermore, both lower and higher SES parents showed interest in meal boxes delivered at home, but lower SES parents have not yet tried such meal boxes because of their higher prices. Still, both groups of SES parents mentioned many advantages of these meal boxes, such as the convenience and time-saving component, as well as the cooking inspiration aspect. Conclusion Our study reveals the preferences of lower and higher SES parents for practical intervention strategies, providing insight in what features these strategies should have to be acceptable and useful. Hence, the findings can inform the development of a tailored family-based intervention strategy to improve parental food choices in favor of increased health and sustainability.

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“…While Nagata et al (33) did not examine school meal participation during the pandemic, they do report a mediating effect of free groceries and meals on the association between food insecurity and poor mental health. Similarly, in a qualitative analysis, commercial family meal kit use has been associated with perceived bene ts including reduced mental load for family meal providers (93). Additionally, evidence suggests that frequent family meals may be associated with lower rates of depressive symptoms and stress among parents (94).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Experiences participating in federal nutrition assistance programs during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study in Vermont

Spence

Niles

Bertmann

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Federal nutrition assistance programs serve as safety nets for many American households, and participation has been linked to increased food security and, in some instances, improved diet quality and mental health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new and increased economic, social, and psychological challenges, necessitating inquiry into how nutrition assistance programs are functioning and associated public health outcomes. Methods Using data from a representative statewide survey administered in Vermont (n = 600) during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we examine participant experiences with the 3 major federal nutrition assistance programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and school meal programs. We explore quantitative and qualitative responses regarding perceptions of program utility, and use nearest neighbors matching analyses in combination with bivariate statistical tests to assess associations between program participation and food insecurity, perceived stress, and fruit and vegetable intake as indicators of dietary quality. Results One in four respondents (27.3%) used at least one federal nutrition assistance program. As compared to non-participants, we find higher rates of food insecurity among program participants (57.5% vs. 18.1%; p < .001), an association that persists even when we compare similar households using matching techniques (p ≤ .001). From matched analyses, we find that, compared to low-income non-participants, low-income program participants are less likely to meet fruit intake recommendations (p = 0.048) and that low-income SNAP and WIC participants are less likely to meet vegetable intake recommendations (p = 0.035). We also find lower rates of perceived stress among low-income school meal participant households compared to low-income nonparticipants (p = 0.039). Despite these mixed outcomes, participants broadly valued federal nutrition assistance programs, characterizing them as helpful or easy to use. Conclusions We find that federal nutrition assistance programs as a group were not sufficient to address food insecurity and stress or increase fruit and vegetable intake in the state of Vermont during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, participants perceived benefits from participation in these programs. Optimizing the utility of nutrition assistance programs depends on critical examination of their functioning under conditions of great stress.

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Meal kits in the family setting: Impacts on family dynamics, nutrition, social and mental health

Cited by 22 publications

References 42 publications

The contribution of Australian fathers in getting food on the table among families with young children

The contribution of Australian fathers in getting food on the table among families with young children

Intervention strategies to promote healthy and sustainable food choices among parents with lower and higher socioeconomic status

Experiences participating in federal nutrition assistance programs during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study in Vermont

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