Family Systems Cultural and Resilience Dimensions to Consider in Nutrition Interventions: Exploring Preschoolers’ Eating and Physical Activity Routines During COVID-19

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the weight-related family functioning of racial minority families with low income using family systems theory as an interpretive framework. DesignPrimarily a qualitative study with interviews plus; descriptive demographics, anthropometrics, a family functioning measure, and food insecurity screening. SettingTelephone interviews with families of preschool-aged children in an urban setting. ParticipantsPrimary caregivers of preschool-aged children. Phenomenon of InterestCultural impacts on family systems. AnalysisInterviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and loaded into NVivo 12 for thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics. ResultsThe 23 participants were mothers and 2 maternal grandmothers. Seventy-four percent were African American, most children were normal weight (n = 15, 65%), mean family function scores were high, and more than half the families were at risk for food insecurity (n = 13, 56%). Acculturation and intergenerational eating-related cultural dimensions were discerned as the overarching themes influencing family cohesion. Family cohesion appeared to have helped the families adapt to the impact of coronavirus disease 2019. Conclusions and ImplicationsCultural dimensions such as acculturation and intergenerational influences appeared to be associated with social cohesion and family functioning around weight-related behaviors for these families. These findings add cultural and family resilience dimensions to family systems theory in nutrition interventions.