Perspectives of Black/African American and Hispanic Parents and Children Living in Under-Resourced Communities Regarding Factors That Influence Food Choices and Decisions: A Qualitative Investigation

Abstract

Families living in under-resourced communities are at risk of obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases. To develop effective interventions, it is important to identify parent and child perspectives of factors that influence food-related choices and decisions. This paper reports qualitative findings from a larger mixed method study investigating this topic. Hybrid thematic analysis was used to code and analyze the interviews. Family-generated photographs of factors influencing food choices were discussed during the interviews. Qualitative findings were organized by the socio-ecological model. Verbatim quotes and photographs were used to support themes. Thirty-six interviews were conducted (18 parents, 18 children). Findings from parents revealed personal (e.g., culture, beliefs, time), family (e.g., mother, child, father, health, finances, cohesiveness), environmental (e.g., availability, convenience, cost), and other (e.g., school food) factors influenced food choices. Similarly, child-reported influences were personal (e.g., preferences, beliefs, taste), family (e.g., mother, family encouragement, father, family time), social (e.g., school, friends), environmental (e.g., availability), and other (e.g., media, sports). The socio-ecological model provided a useful framework for identifying factors that influence food choices and decisions of families living in under-resourced communities. A deeper understanding of these factors could enhance both responsiveness and effectiveness of interventions to enhance diet and reduce obesity risk in families living in under-resourced communities.

Promoting Health Equity: Identifying Parent and Child Reactions to a Culturally-Grounded Obesity Prevention Program Specifically Designed for Black Girls Using Community-Engaged Research

“…However, the majority of the households represented had an individual with at least a college degree. The fact that education status did not necessarily predict the socioeconomic diversity of the sample is consistent with other studies in minority populations that have shown that income disparities can persist despite educational status [ 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Parents’ perspectives on strategies for healthy dietary choice promotion for children have been well studied [ 37 , 38 ]. However, less attention has been given to minority parents’ perceptions regarding ways to help children practice healthy lifestyle behaviors [ 29 , 39 , 40 ]. Furthermore, community-based participatory research, while it can be difficult to evaluate its effect on participation, shows that participant engagement strengthens the program’s ability to equitably distribute the benefits of a program or overcome barriers such as in our socioeconomically diverse parent population [ 21 , 41 ].…”

Perspectives of Black and Hispanic Children Living in Under-Resourced Communities on Meal Preparation and Grocery Shopping Behaviors: Implications for Nutrition Education

“…Families provided written informed consent prior to participation in the study. A more detailed description of the recruitment procedures is reported elsewhere [12].…”

“…The home food environment [8], family meals [9], food preferences [10], and household income [11] contribute to children's dietary behaviors. Children can also influence food behaviors in both themselves [9] and their family [12]. The diet quality of children in the United States is below the national dietary recommendations [13].…”

Precision Food Parenting: A Proposed Conceptual Model and Research Agenda

“…Many factors influence child dietary intake [13][14][15], the most important of which need to be taken into consideration when making personalized dietary change prescriptions. High among these influences, especially for younger children, is parents [16].…”