Parents' perception of health promotion: What do parents think of a healthy lifestyle in parenting and the impact of the school environment? A qualitative research in the Netherlands

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed at gaining insight into parents' perceptions towards health behaviour in parenting and the impact of the school environment. Healthcare professionals experience barriers to discuss health behaviour in families where levels of overweight and obesity are elevated. There is a need to understand parents' perception and perceived significance of health behaviour. Design and methodsSixty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of children from three primary schools located in two different neighbourhoods in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Parents were asked to formulate their top three priority goals in parenting, additionally supplemented with 15 predetermined goals, including a health behaviour related goal. Parents ranked the goals in order of importance and gave an explanation. Finally, parents shared their opinions regarding the school environment in promoting health behaviour, according to the EnrG framework. ResultsIn 8 out of 63 interviews, health was reported in the top three self-formulated goals. Other goals considered important were happiness and being respectful to others. When health was ranked as less important in parenting, routine of health behaviour, own beliefs and religion were given as explanations. The physical school environment and teachers were mentioned as important factors in promoting health behaviour. ConclusionsParents indicate health behaviour as a key-element in parenting, even when health behaviour is not considered as the most important priority. Practice Implications: Since school is perceived as a logical and powerful environment, healthcare professionals should collaborate with school staff to empower their own, teachers' and parents' roles to address health promotion.