Efficacy Perceptions of Fruit and Vegetable Parenting Practices in Low‐income Diverse Mothers of Preschoolers

Abstract

Previous research has focused largely on controlling aspects of parental influences on children's eating. Less is known, however, about parenting practices that encourage healthy food consumption. This study contrasted efficacy perceptions of practices related to fruit and vegetables (FV) in ethnically diverse mothers of 3‐5 year old children recruited from 12 Head Start centers in North Carolina. Nine dimensions of FV parenting strategies were extracted from literature and subjects reported perceived efficacy on each. Principal component analysis revealed 2 factors within availability (availability, α=.83; serving, α=.71), with no racial/ethnic differences on efficacy perceptions. Efficacy perceptions of accessibility (α=.76), modeling (α=.78), reward (α=.81), and child inclusion (α=.88) did not differ by race/ethnicity. Efficacy perceptions differed by race/ethnicity for positive support, pressure, and restriction. Positive support (α=.74) and rules and routine (α=.60) practices were believed to be more effective to encourage FV intake by Hispanic mothers. Pressure items loaded on 2 factors (pressure, α=.84; coercion, α=.70), with African American mothers expecting coercion (p<.001) and Hispanic mothers expecting pressure to be more effective for encouraging FV (p<.001). Hispanic mothers viewed fried vegetables/juice restriction (α=.87) as a more effective strategy than did African American mothers (p<.05). Our findings revealed differences in efficacy expectations of parenting practices by race/ethnicity for encouraging children's FV intake. Research identifying specific practices that are positively correlated with actual FV intake in diverse populations of preschoolers is warranted.