Background-Despite the key role that women from limited income families play as family food providers and their high risk for diet-related chronic diseases, there is a paucity of data about their diet quality and how it might vary by race/ethnicity.

The purpose of this study was to identify caregivers’ attitudes regarding amounts and types of foods served to Head Start preschoolers using qualitative methods. Researchers conducted 8 focus groups (4 African American; 4 Hispanic) with 33African American and 29 Hispanic Head Start caregivers. Moderator guide questions were based on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Model articulated to portion sizes served to Head Start preschoolers. Analysts coded verbatim transcripts for emergent patterns and discrepant data between ethnicities. Caregivers identified child preference, exposure, and pickiness, child age and size, and hunger and the home environment as key influencers on the amounts and types of foods served to Head Start children. Caregivers believed they strongly impact child food consumption through role modeling and verbal encouragement. Using the results from this study, researchers plan to establish how Head Start caregivers’ attitudes impact portion sizes and how portion size impacts consumption. Practitioners should be aware of caregivers’ attitudes regarding their influence on child food consumption and teach these caregivers appropriate behavior modeling and affirmation techniques.Funded by: #NIH 1 R01 CA107545 and NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award.