Contextual and cultural influences on parental feeding practices among Hispanics (LB465)

Abstract

Contextual and cultural influences on parental feeding practices among Hispanics Hispanic preschoolers in the United States are at greater risk for obesity compared to non‐Hispanic whites. Obese children are more likely to be obese adolescents and adults thus, early prevention is critical. Growing evidence has addressed the role of caregivers’ indulgent or restrictive feeding practices in children’s eating behaviors and negative weight outcomes. However, the mechanisms driving these associations are largely unknown; including what influences these feeding practices among Hispanics. Therefore the goal of this qualitative study was to explore contextual and socio‐cultural influences on parental feeding. Four focus groups (n=37) were held with Hispanic parents of preschool‐aged children at two day care centers in Rhode Island. Audio recordings were transcribed and translated, and themes extracted. Parents commented that their childhood experiences of not being allowed to waste food influenced how they currently feed their children. They reported making conscious decisions not to use the same feeding strategies as their own parents and on the contrary, reported using different practices related to encouragement of healthy foods and promotion of self‐regulation. Parents reported wanting to feed their children healthy foods but other influences such as peer‐social interactions posed as challenges for example, some mother’s reported only buying juice after their child was exposed to it in daycare. Husband’s food preferences and grandparent’s indulgent behaviors were also viewed as a challenge to promoting healthy foods in the home. Understanding how cultural and environmental factors influence parental feeding and may help tailor obesity prevention efforts among Hispanics.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the University of Rhode Island