Low-Income Caregivers' Attitudes and Behaviors on Children's Diets: Emergent Themes on Cultural Influences and Perceived Value of Nutrition Information from Healthcare Providers. 2021

Kathleen Yu, and Fanfan Wu, and Miriam H Eisenberg Colman
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA.

Limited access to affordable, healthy food and identifying as African-American or Hispanic-American are associated with greater risk of childhood obesity, especially for low-income individuals. To report on (1) the emergent theme of the influence of culture on primary caregivers' behaviors and motivations when preparing meals for their families; and (2) primary caregivers' perceptions of the nutritional information they receive from health care providers. Twelve focus groups with low-income, adult primary caregivers of children ages 3 to 6 years were conducted in Texas and the DC-Maryland-Virginia region and were segmented by race/ethnicity and access to grocery stores. Culture emerged as an important theme in influencing which foods participants cook at home. In some cases, that influence spilled over into the child's diet. In other instances, the food that participants reported making for their children varied from the food they make for themselves. Participants reported having high trust in health care providers, but acknowledged that health care providers' nutritional advice might not always be applicable. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the role culture might play in influencing and informing caregivers' decisions regarding children's diets, and also better understanding caregivers' perceptions of health care providers as a source of nutrition information for their children.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007722 Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Knowledge, attitudes, and associated behaviors which pertain to health-related topics such as PATHOLOGIC PROCESSES or diseases, their prevention, and treatment. This term refers to non-health workers and health workers (HEALTH PERSONNEL). Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
D008396 Maryland A state bounded on the north by Pennsylvania, on the east by Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Virginia and West Virginia, and on the west by West Virginia.
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004032 Diet Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal. Diets
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013781 Texas State bounded on the north by Oklahoma, on the east by Arkansas and Louisiana, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by New Mexico.
D017028 Caregivers Persons who provide care to those who need supervision or assistance in illness or disability. They may provide the care in the home, in a hospital, or in an institution. Although caregivers include trained medical, nursing, and other health personnel, the concept also refers to parents, spouses, or other family members, friends, members of the clergy, teachers, social workers, fellow patients. Family Caregivers,Informal Caregivers,Spouse Caregivers,Care Givers,Carers,Care Giver,Caregiver,Caregiver, Family,Caregiver, Informal,Caregiver, Spouse,Caregivers, Family,Caregivers, Informal,Caregivers, Spouse,Carer,Family Caregiver,Informal Caregiver,Spouse Caregiver

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