P114 Do Parents Promote Healthy Behaviors in Young Children: An Examination of Parenting Practices and Influence of Head Start

Abstract

Background While parents acknowledge the importance of promoting healthy behaviors among their preschool-aged children (3-5 years), many low-income families lack the knowledge/skills needed to effectively encourage these behaviors. Research is needed to understand the challenges parents face when promoting healthy choices to their children. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore Head Start (HS) parents’ experiences with: promoting positive dietary and physical activity (PA) choices among their preschoolers; and HS-based health-focused resources. Study Design, Settings, and Participants Researchers conducted 13 in-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews. Participants were parents of preschoolers (4-5 years) enrolled in HS. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Phenomenology was used to guide study design and analysis. Researchers identified significant statements through open-coding and grouped them into themes. Themes focused on the “how” and “what” of parents’ experiences with the phenomenon. Results Researchers identified four themes: Social Ecological (SE) Influences; Home-based Strategies for Health Promotion; HS Health Promotion Strategies for Parents; and HS Health Promotion Strategies for Children. Parents’ SE influences (e.g. knowledge, time) affected strategies they used at home, as well as their ability to engage with HS programming. Parents reported HS provided nutrition resources (e.g. classes, handouts) for parents, but parent engagement with these resources was limited. Parents also reported HS implemented strategies at school (e.g. modeling) to promote positive health behaviors among children. These HS-based strategies appeared to positively impact parents’ strategies at home. Conclusion HS parents use a variety of strategies to encourage positive health behaviors among their children and acknowledge the importance of promoting healthy behaviors. HS serves as a resource to parents, however parent engagement with these opportunities was limited potentially due to SE barriers. HS-based health promotion strategies that focused on children's education appeared to be an effective strategy for engaging parents. Funding East Carolina University.