Latino parents’ perceptions of the eating and physical activity experiences of their pre-school children at home and at family child-care homes: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: Research indicates that healthful eating and physical activity (PA) practices implemented in child-care settings can have a positive effect on children's healthful behaviours in this setting, and this effect on healthful behaviours may possibly transfer to the home environment. While more research is needed to examine whether behaviours learned in family child-care homes (FCCH) transfer, the potential for transferability is especially important given that Latino children's home environment has been characterized by obesogenic parenting practices. We aimed to examine Latino parents' perceptions of their preschool children's eating and PA experiences at home and at FCCH. Design: Qualitative study. Six focus groups were conducted in Spanish (n 36). Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key concepts and themes. Results: Analyses revealed that Latino parents perceive their children have healthier eating and PA experiences at FCCH than at home. Parents attributed this to FCCH providers providing an environment conducive to healthful eating and PA due to providers having more knowledge and skills, time and resources, and being required to follow rules and regulations set by the state that promote healthful eating and PA. Conclusions: Understanding parental perceptions, attitudes and practices related to establishing and maintaining an environment conducive to children's healthful eating and PA at home and at the FCCH is essential for the design of successful interventions to promote children's healthful behaviours in these two settings. Given that parents perceive their children as having more healthful behaviours while at FCCH, interventions that address both settings jointly may be most effective than those addressing only one environment by itself.

Communication With Family Child Care Providers and Feeding Preschool-Aged Children: Parental Perspectives

“…These findings are consistent with those of Lindsay et al. 29 whereby Latino parents also reported that foods served in FCCHs were more healthful than the foods served at home, and trusted FCCPs serve healthy foods to their children. Parents that did inquire about foods served to children at the FCCH found the information provided beneficial.…”

“…It was evident that daily routines were primarily influenced by parents' work schedules, which can interfere with a parents' ability to create and maintain healthy environments. 29,43 Identifying strategies that are perceived by parents as less burdensome, may encourage parents to seek child nutrition information from their FCCP. Federal nutrition programs like the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provide free child nutrition education resources for child care providers who participate in the program.…”

“…26,27 However, there is limited evidence on what and how parents and family child care home providers (FCCPs) communicate about childnutrition related topics, including food and beverages for preschool-aged children. 21,28,29 Thus, understanding parental perspectives of the child care setting as it relates to child nutrition-related communication and child eating behaviors is important. Gaining insight on factors that may influence child-nutrition related communication can inform child health promotion efforts that involve both parents and child care providers.…”

A review of early influences on physical activity and sedentary behaviors of preschool‐age children in high‐income countries

“…Family childcare is home‐based, and providers care for children other than their own in the providers' own home. Family childcare may be licensed or unlicensed, and despite the growing interest in this type of setting, further exploration of PA and sedentary in family childcare settings is needed because available studies show that PA levels have been low among preschool‐age children attending licensed family childcare homes (Lindsay et al., ; Vanderloo, Martynuik, & Tucker, ). Home‐based care provided by a nanny or a babysitter often involves childcare hired on a scheduled full‐ or part‐time basis, with care often provided in the child's home.…”

Easier said than done: a qualitative study conducted in the USA exploring Latino family child care home providers as role models for healthy eating and physical activity behaviours

“… 9 Latino parents who enrol their children in an FCCH believe that these settings are instrumental in shaping and reinforcing their children’s healthy eating and physical activity habits. 10 11 In fact, recent research suggests that FCCH providers may be more influential than, or equally as important as, parents in shaping food preferences of young children. 5 12 FCCH providers, like parents, help establish and reinforce early healthy eating and physical activity behaviours among young children by developing an environment that fosters healthy behaviours.…”