Parental role modeling of fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks is associated with children's adequate consumption

Abstract

Parental role modeling of healthful eating behaviors has been shown to be positively correlated to children’s dietary intake and preference for fruits and vegetables. However, no study to date has utilized both parent and child report of parental role modeling and assessed role modeling at snacks and dinner. The purpose of this study is to 1) examine associations between parent and child report of parental role modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption at snacks and dinner and 2) determine whether parental role modeling is associated with children meeting daily fruit and vegetable recommendations. Parent-child dyads (N=160) participating in the Healthy Home Offerings via the Mealtime Environment (HOME) Plus study completed baseline surveys that included questions regarding parental role modeling of fruits and vegetables at dinner and snacks. Children also completed 24-hour dietary recalls. Spearman correlations and chi-square/Fisher’s exact test were used to examine relationships between parent and child report of parental role modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption at snacks and dinner and whether children met daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. On average, children consumed less than three servings of fruits and vegetables per day with only 23% of children consuming the recommended four daily servings. Similarities between parent and child reports of parental role modeling of fruits and vegetables at snacks and dinner varied by food type (e.g., fruit versus green salad) and whether the role modeling behavior was at snack or dinner. Statistically significant correlations were seen between parent and child report of parental role modeling consumption of fruit at dinner and green salad at dinner. Children who reported parental role modeling of vegetable consumption at snack and green salad at dinner were significantly more likely, than those who did not, to meet the daily fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations. Parents who reported role modeling consumption of fruit at snack were significantly more likely to have children who met daily fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations. Results indicate that children are aware of their parents’ eating behaviors and on occasion report this behavior similarly to their parents. Parents should be encouraged to utilize the opportunity to role model healthful dietary intake, especially at snacks, where consumption of fruits and vegetables may be very low.

Influence of parents' behavior during the meal and on overweight in childhood

“…31 Adequate food and nutrition are basic requirements for the integrality of health care. 26 Interventions for the reduction of overweight in children should focus on the family and the household 9,12,32,33 for the promotion of positive parental eating practices, considering the role of parental modeling in children's eating behavior. 32,33 Parents or guardians should be empowered about healthy eating and sensitized about the need to change the family's lifestyle.…”

“…26 Interventions for the reduction of overweight in children should focus on the family and the household 9,12,32,33 for the promotion of positive parental eating practices, considering the role of parental modeling in children's eating behavior. 32,33 Parents or guardians should be empowered about healthy eating and sensitized about the need to change the family's lifestyle. 21 The strengthening of the specific actions of care in food and nutrition in Primary Care are promising, 27 because it focuses on caring for the family and for developing actions in a geographically known territory, which enables knowledge and action in the family context.…”

Exploring Parental Perceptions of Self-Efficacy, Role Modeling and Factors Contributing to Family Health Practices from an Employer-Provided Family Weight Management Program: A Mixed Methods Study

“…Children's eating habits and physical activity are largely influenced and correlated with family and parental modeling of behaviors (Davison & Birch, 2001;Draxten, Fulkerson, Friend, Flattum, & Schow, 2014;Golan & Crow, 2004;Van Lippevelde et al, 2013;Welk, Wood, & Morss, 2003;Wright, Wilson, Griffin, & Evans, 2010). Eating patterns of children are substantially shaped by the home environment because almost 70% of calories and 80% of snacks consumed by 6-11 year olds are eaten in the home (Lin, Guthrie, & Frazao, 1999).…”

“…Parents have a significant influence on their child/children's health and wellness by creating opportunities for experimentation through social learning due to imitation and observation of the parents (Golan & Weizman, 2001). Modeling can enhance or diminish a child's understanding of health behaviors by the parent's social responses and through their engagement and adoption of nutrition, dietary, and physical activities which helps to develop children's attitudes, values, and preferences toward health and lifestyle behaviors (Draxten et al, 2014;Rhee, 2008;Van Lippevelde et al, 2013). Role modeling is also a resource used by children to develop their confidence to perform these behaviors (Bandura 1977a(Bandura , 1986(Bandura , 1997Wright et al, 2010).…”

“…While genetics may increase susceptibility and be a predictor of obesity and overweight status, interactions with environmental influences also contribute to factors affecting a child's weight status (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2003). Parents have a considerable part to play by taking responsibility for their children's food environment and by serving as an active authority figure and role model (Draxten et al, 2014;Golan & Weizman, 2001;Kitzmann, Dalton, & Busceni, 2008;Rhee, 2008;Tinsley, Markey, Ericksen, Ortiz, & Kwasman, 2002;Van Lippevelde et al, 2013;Wright et al, 2010).…”