Impact of a Father–Child, Community-Based Healthy Lifestyle Program: Qualitative Perspectives from the Family Unit

Abstract

The Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids (HDHK) program was designed to help fathers with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 to lose weight and positively influence physical activity and dietary behaviors of their children. There is a need to better understand the broader impact of father-focused, healthy lifestyle programs from the perspectives of other family members. This qualitative study explored the impact of a HDHK by gathering insights from the family unit (fathers, mothers/partners and children). Fathers and children who participated in the HDHK dissemination trial from the Maitland local government area (New South Wales, Australia) (n = 33) and all mothers/partners of participating HDHK were invited to take part in this qualitative study. Eleven focus groups were undertaken with 25 fathers (41.9 ± 6.3 years, 32.4 ± 5.1 kg/m2), 15 mothers/partners’ (38.1 ± 6.6 years), and 41 children (51% male, 8.2 ± 2.1 years). Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed by an independent researcher using a standard general inductive approach to qualitative analysis with thematic analysis applied. Three key themes emerged, demonstrating several personal and family program impacts. These included a positive impact on: (i) the father-child relationship, (ii) new family habits (e.g., lifestyle changes within the family unit) and (iii) fathers’ involvement and parenting practices (e.g., increase in fathers’ household responsibilities). Improving the knowledge and skills of fathers and children through evidence-based strategies may be a useful approach to strengthen their relationship, enhance parenting strategies, and optimize health behaviors. Notably, findings showed the changes made by the fathers and children positively impacted the wider family unit.