P16 Associations Between Latino Fathers' Food Involvement with Adolescents and Food Parenting Practices

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Latino father involvement in meals and food management may be related to frequency of food parenting practices that could improve adolescent dietary intake. However, limited information exists about this relationship. <h3>Objective</h3> To examine associations between the frequency of Latino fathers' meal/food involvement and father food parenting practices based on adolescent report. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> A cross-sectional study was conducted using baseline survey data from Latino adolescents (10-14 years, n = 138) participating in a community-based intervention with fathers to prevent obesity (2017-2019). Adolescents reported frequency of fathers' meal/food involvement, and father food parenting practices using tested survey instruments. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Logistic regression models were used to examine associations of family meals; meals with fathers; and paternal food involvement (planning, buying, preparing) (independent variables) with food parenting practices (setting expectations; role modeling; home food availability for fruits, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs]) (dependent variables) adjusted for income; children in the home; and adolescent age and sex. <h3>Results</h3> Greater father food involvement was associated with expecting adolescents' fruit intake ≥2 times/day (OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.30-7.08), role modeling fruit intake (OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.51-8.30), and making fruit available >3 times per week (OR, 4.04; 95% CI, 1.67-9.79). Meals with fathers ≥5 times/week was associated with role modeling fruit and vegetable intakes >3 times per week (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.28-6.43 for fruit; and OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.51-7.06 for vegetables), and making fruit and vegetables available >3 times per week (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.52-7.86 for fruit; and OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.29-6.72 for vegetables). Family meals ≥5 times/week were positively associated with making SSBs available ≥2 times/week (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.07-5.98). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Food and meal involvement among Latino fathers may enable certain food parenting practices to improve adolescent food behaviors.