Promoting healthy diet and exercise patterns amongst primary school children: a qualitative investigation of parental perspectives

Abstract

Parents represent a potentially powerful intermediary in behaviour change strategies aimed at improving the lifestyle behaviours of young children. However, to fulfil this role, parents need to have the necessary knowledge and motivation to assimilate dietary guidelines. This study aimed to assess these psychosocial constructs, and subsequent parental receptiveness to nutrition education, through investigation of the barriers and benefits perceived by parents to the provision of a healthy diet and adequate exercise for their children. A qualitative methodology was employed and 41 parents took part in seven focus groups separated by socio-economic status (SES). Across the groups, a combination of reported external barriers and unconscious internal barriers, stemming from high optimistic bias, low perceived control and unrealistic health expectations, were observed. SES differences were suggested in restrictive feeding practices, the responsibility attributed to the school and in the level and format of desired nutrition education. Overall a demand for interventions focusing on behavioural techniques rather than fact transmission was uncovered, in particular the promotion of parental self-awareness to reduce negative influences within the family food environment. Providing realistic definitions of appropriate behaviour and empowering parents to tackle children's weight issues were indicated as important targets for future education programmes.

Understanding parent concerns about children’s diet, activity and weight status: an important step towards effective obesity prevention interventions

“…These findings suggest that intervention programmes may be enhanced by prioritising the 'how to prepare' messages and by including child behaviour management components over an emphasis on 'what to provide' information. These findings are consistent with findings with Australian parents of 2-5-year-olds (8) and 5-6-year-olds (16) , as well as UK parents of 7-12-year-olds (13) , that support the conclusion that while parents acknowledge their role or responsibilities around providing children with healthy food, support is needed to overcome barriers such as child/family resistance to a healthy diet, use of treats and lack of time/busy lifestyle.…”

“…Canadian and British research also provides insights on parental attitudes and perceived barriers to physical activity in preschoolers (11) , attitudes to screenviewing behaviours in preschoolers (12) and attitudes to both eating and exercise in 7-12-year-olds (13) . Screen-viewing attitudes have also been investigated in American parents of 6-13-year-old children (14) .…”

Challenges to parent nutrition education: a qualitative study of parents of urban children attending low-income schools

“…Studies have found parents not to be receptive to interventions aimed at specifically changing dietary behaviour, but are more motivated to engage in healthy behaviours and positive health beliefs within the family setting (11,12) . Hart et al suggest parent-targeted strategies should emphasize: (i) awareness-raising interventions such as promoting the acceptance of healthy foods and behaviours through repeated exposure techniques; (ii) encouraging family responsibility for diet and exercise rather than just providing parents with 'specific guidelines' to follow; and (iii) promoting dietary variety to tackle the myth of healthy eating as restrictive, expensive and unattainable (11) . Parents' knowledge of healthy foods and their child's food preferences related to healthy foods influenced food purchasing and preparation and parents balanced this with the barriers to healthy eating.…”

The contribution of three components of nutrition knowledge to socio-economic differences in food purchasing choices

“…A lack of belief in or understanding of the relationship between diet and disease may result in a lack of motivation to apply other aspects of nutrition knowledge; for example, knowledge of the nutrient content of foods or knowledge of dietary guidelines. Socio-economic groups are found to have different priorities and perspectives in relation to food choice decision making (49,50) . Concerns regarding health and nutrition are often reported to be more salient in the food choices of those of high SEP compared with those who are disadvantaged (50)(51)(52) .…”