scholarly journals Adolescent-Reported Latino Fathers’ Food Parenting Practices and Family Meal Frequency Are Associated with Better Adolescent Dietary Intake

Author(s):  
Aysegul Baltaci ◽  
Silvia Alvarez de Davila ◽  
Alejandro Omar Reyes Peralta ◽  
Melissa N. Laska ◽  
Nicole Larson ◽  
...  

Most studies of food-related parenting practices, parental meal involvement, and adolescent dietary intake have focused on maternal influences; studies of paternal influences, particularly among marginalized groups, are lacking. This study examined lower-income, Latino fathers’ food parenting practices and involvement in planning meals, buying/preparing foods, and family meal frequency, separately and in combination, to identify relationships with adolescent food intake. Baseline data were used from Latino adolescents (10–14 years, n = 191, 49% boys) participating with their fathers in a community-based overweight/obesity prevention intervention. Fathers reported sociodemographic characteristics. Adolescents reported frequency of fathers’ food parenting practices, fathers’ food/meal involvement, and family meals and participated in 24 h dietary recalls. The analysis included regression models using GLM (generalized linear mixed model) and PLM (post GLM processing) procedures. Most fathers were married, employed full-time, and had annual incomes below USD 50,000. Favorable fathers’ food parenting practices were associated with adolescent intake of more fruit and vegetables and fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets/salty snacks, and less fast food (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). No independent effects of family meal frequency or fathers’ food/meal involvement were observed on adolescent dietary outcomes. Additional analyses showed favorable food parenting practices in combination with frequent family meals were associated with adolescents having a higher intake of fruit (p = 0.011). Latino fathers can have an important positive influence on adolescent dietary intake.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Traci A. Bekelman ◽  
Corby K. Martin ◽  
Susan L. Johnson ◽  
Deborah H. Glueck ◽  
Katherine A. Sauder ◽  
...  

Abstract The limitations of self-report measures of dietary intake are well known. Novel, technology-based measures of dietary intake may provide a more accurate, less burdensome alternative to existing tools. The first objective of this study was to compare participant burden for two technology-based measures of dietary intake among school-age children: the Automated-Self Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool-2018 (ASA24-2018) and the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM). The second objective was to compare reported energy intake for each method to the Estimated Energy Requirement for each child, as a benchmark for actual intake. Forty parent-child dyads participated in 2, 3-day dietary assessments: a parent proxy-reported version of the ASA24 and the RFPM. A parent survey was subsequently administered to compare satisfaction, ease of use and burden with each method. A linear mixed model examined differences in total daily energy intake (TDEI) between assessments, and between each assessment method and the EER. Reported energy intake was 379 kcal higher with the ASA24 than the RFPM (p=0.0002). Reported energy intake with the ASA24 was 231 kcal higher than the EER (p = 0.008). Reported energy intake with the RFPM did not differ significantly from the EER (difference in predicted means = −148 kcal, p = 0.09). Median satisfaction and ease of use scores were 5 out of 6 for both methods. A higher proportion of parents reported that the ASA24 was more time consuming than the RFPM (74.4% vs. 25.6%, p = 0.002). Utilization of both methods is warranted given their high satisfaction among parents.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Martin-Biggers ◽  
Kim Spaccarotella ◽  
Amanda Berhaupt-Glickstein ◽  
Nobuko Hongu ◽  
John Worobey ◽  
...  

Abstract The L.E.A.D. (Locate, Evaluate, and Assemble Evidence to Inform Decisions) framework of the Institute of Medicine guided the assembly of transdisciplinary evidence for this comprehensive, updated review of family meal research, conducted with the goal of informing continued work in this area. More frequent family meals are associated with greater consumption of healthy foods in children, adolescents, and adults. Adolescents and children who consume fewer family meals consume more unhealthy food. School-aged children and adolescents who consume more family meals have greater intakes of typically underconsumed nutrients. Increased family meal frequency may decrease risk of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents. Frequent family meals also may protect against eating disorders and negative health behaviors in adolescents and young adults. Psychosocial benefits include improved perceptions of family relationships. However, the benefits of having a family meal can be undermined if the family consumes fast food, watches television at the meal, or has a more chaotic atmosphere. Although these findings are intriguing, inconsistent research methodology and instrumentation and limited use of validation studies make comparisons between studies difficult. Future research should use consistent methodology, examine these associations across a wide range of ages, clarify the effects of the mealtime environment and feeding styles, and develop strategies to help families promote healthful mealtime habits.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerica M Berge ◽  
Jonathan Miller ◽  
Allison Watts ◽  
Nicole Larson ◽  
Katie A Loth ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe present study examined longitudinal associations between four family meal patterns (i.e. never had regular family meals, started having regular family meals, stopped having regular family meals, maintained having regular family meals) and young adult parents’ dietary intake, weight-related behaviours and psychosocial well-being. In addition, family meal patterns of parents were compared with those of non-parents.DesignAnalysis of data from the longitudinal Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults) study. Linear and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between family meal patterns and parents’ dietary intake, weight-related behaviours and psychosocial well-being.SettingSchool and in-home settings.SubjectsAt baseline (1998; EAT-I), adolescents (n 4746) from socio-economically and racially/ethnically diverse households completed a survey and anthropometric measurements at school. At follow-up (2015; EAT-IV), participants who were parents (n 726) and who were non-parents with significant others (n 618) completed an online survey.ResultsYoung adult parents who reported having regular family meals as an adolescent and as a parent (‘maintainers’), or who started having regular family meals with their own families (‘starters’), reported more healthful dietary, weight-related and psychosocial outcomes compared with young adults who never reported having regular family meals (‘nevers’; P<0·05). In addition, parents were more likely to be family meal starters than non-parents.ConclusionsResults suggest that mental and physical health benefits of having regular family meals may be realized as a parent whether the routine of regular family meals is carried forward from adolescence into parenthood, or if the routine is started in parenthood.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Bacon

Research suggests family meals are associated with positive outcomes for children, leading scholars to recommend their public promotion. Several organizations have created campaigns promoting family meals, but little research has been done on their efficacy. This article compares framing strategies of family meal campaigns with parents’ understandings of feeding work, based on content analysis of 10 campaign websites and interviews with 46 American parents. The analysis suggests that while the motivational and diagnostic frames campaigns use are likely to resonate with parents, their prognostic framing does not align with parents’ experiences. Campaign frames are least likely to resonate with single parents, who face more barriers to having the kinds of meals they want and have fewer ideas for overcoming them. To be more effective, organizations promoting family meals should focus on innovative but relatable strategies for improving family meal frequency and quality, with a particular emphasis on single parents.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Ibukun Afolami ◽  
Folake Samuel ◽  
Karin Borgonjen-van den Berg ◽  
Martin Mwangi ◽  
Olatundun Kalejaiye ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background: Biofortified yellow cassava has been developed to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. We examined the potential contribution of yellow cassava to total Retinol Activity Equivalent (RAE) intake if replacing white by yellow cassava among pre-school Nigerian children. Methods: Dietary intake was assessed as part of a randomized controlled trial. Preschool children (n=176) were randomly assigned to receive either white cassava (WC) or yellow cassava (YC) for 17 weeks. Dietary intake assessments were conducted during the intervention and one month after, when children had resumed their habitual diet. Differences in RAE intake between groups and time points were compared using a linear mixed model regression analysis. Results: During intervention, median RAE intake was 536 µg/day in the YC group and 301 µg/day in the WC group (p<0.0001). YC contributed ˜40% to total RAE intake. Nine percent of children in the YC versus 29% in the WC groups had RAE intake below the Estimated Average Requirement. After intervention, median RAE intake was 300 µg/day and did not differ between intervention groups (p=0.5). The interaction effect of group and time showed a 37% decrease in RAE intake in the YC group after the intervention (Exp(β) = 0.63 [95% CI 0.56, 0.72]). If WC was replaced by YC after intervention, the potential contribution of YC to total RAE intake was estimated to be ˜32%. Conclusions: Yellow cassava increased total RAE intake and showed a substantially lower inadequacy of intake. It is therefore recommended as a good source of provitamin A in cassava-consuming regions.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Vega-López ◽  
Stephanie Ayers ◽  
Flavio F Marsiglia ◽  
Meg Bruening ◽  
Lela R Williams ◽  
...  

Introduction: Adherence to dietary recommendations among Latinx adolescents is low, contributing to an increased risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Parents play a crucial role in adolescents’ disease risk and diet quality due to their role in modeling healthful behaviors and providing food. However, information about how parental monitoring and eating-related parenting practices are associated to cardiovascular risk is scarce. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that unhealthful parenting practices would be associated with higher cardiometabolic risk factors among Latinx adolescents. Methods: We included 61 parent-adolescent (6 th -8 th grade) Latinx dyads. Parents self-reported information about parental monitoring, family eating habits (use of media during meals, inclusion of specific foods during dinner, fast food intake), parental feeding style, and parental energy index (whether parents have had conversations with their children regarding weight and healthful diet and physical activity behaviors). Adolescent cardiometabolic risk factors measured include blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, and HbA1c. Age- and sex-adjusted BMI percentile (BMI%) and z-scores (BMIz) were calculated from weight and height measurements. Associations between parental practices and cardiometabolic risk factors were analyzed using linear regression (B) and correlation (r). Results: Adolescents’ measured risk factors were as follows: SBP=106±11 mm Hg, DBP=62±7 mm Hg, weight=61±15 kg, BMI%=83±20, BMIz=1.2±0.9, HbA1c=5.1±0.4 %, and total cholesterol=164±12 mg/dL. Use of media during meals (e.g., TV, electronic devices) was associated with higher adolescent weight (B=7.97; r=.31; p=.02) and BMIz (B=.37; r=.27, p=.05). Parental restrictive feeding style was associated with higher adolescent weight (B=5.54; r=.22; p=.03), BMI% (B=13.19; r=.52, p=.001) and diastolic BP (B=2.50; r=.27, p=.04). Adolescent children of parents reporting a greater parental energy index had a greater body weight (B=6.90; r=.46; p=.001) and BMI % (B=6.28; r=.33, p=.01). Parent-reported frequency of consuming family meals, frequency of fast food meals, importance of consuming family meals, and inclusion of vegetables, fruit and 100% juice, milk, and sugar-sweetened beverages during family meals were not associated with adolescents’ BMI or BP. Associations with other risk factors were not significant. Conclusions: Results suggest that unhealthful parenting practices such as restrictive feeding and allowing the use of media during meals may negatively influence cardiometabolic risk factors among Latinx adolescents. Parents of children with a greater BMI reported having more conversations about weight and healthful behaviors with their children. Future family-based behavioral interventions for this population should incorporate more parenting strategies as part of their curricula.


Author(s):  
Rosa S. Wong ◽  
Keith T. S. Tung ◽  
Wilfred H. S. Wong ◽  
Frederick K. W. Ho ◽  
Winnie W. Y. Tso ◽  
...  

Family meals are beneficial for adolescent development, but evidence from Chinese populations has been limited. This study aimed to examine the associations between family meal frequency and adolescent perception of family relationship and compliance with parental guidance in Hong Kong. During the period from October to December 2016, a stratified random sample of 3359 students were recruited from 25 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Students completed questionnaires about family characteristics, relationship quality, and meal frequency by paper-and-pencil in class. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between family meal frequency and perceived family relationship and compliance with parental guidance overall and by subgroups. After adjusting for sociodemographic and school confounders, family breakfast and dinner frequency were significantly associated with adolescent compliance (breakfast: B = 0.07, p < 0.001; dinner: B 0.07, p < 0.001) and perception of family relationship (breakfast: B = 0.10, p < 0.001; dinner: B = 0.25, p < 0.001). Risk factors for infrequent family meals included older age, not born in Hong Kong, less educated fathers, and unmarried parents. Our findings support the associations of regular family meals with adolescent perception of high family bond and compliance with parental guidance. Interventions are needed to enhance quality family meal interactions in disadvantaged families.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabet R. Hillesund ◽  
Linda R. Sagedal ◽  
Elling Bere ◽  
Nina C. Øverby

Abstract Background Family meal participation is associated with healthier eating among children and adolescents. Less is known about family meal participation among infants and toddlers. The objective of the present study was to explore whether family meal participation at 12 months of age is associated with dietary intake and whether a potential relationship differs according to maternal education or child sex. Methods Follow-up data from children born to mothers participating in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) trial during pregnancy were used to assess the frequency of intake of 11 dietary items according to frequency of participating in the respective family meals. Dietary differences according to seldom (0–3 times/week) or often (4–7 times/week) participating in each respective meal category were assessed in linear regression models. Potential dose-response associations with frequency of participation in all family meal categories combined were also estimated. Models were adjusted for maternal randomization status, education, and child sex. Results The sample comprised 408 children. A total of 74, 53 and 74% had breakfast, lunch, and dinner with family ≥4 times/week, respectively, while 39% had supper and 27% between-meal snacks with family ≥4 times/week. Having family dinner ≥4 times/week was associated with more frequent intake of vegetables, homemade infant cereal, milk, and water, and less frequent intake of commercial infant foods while the other family meal categories were associated with fewer dietary outcomes. For each additional meal category eaten with family ≥4 times/week, frequency of vegetable intake (β = 0.45), water (β = 0.17), and milk (β = 0.09) per day increased, while commercial infant cereal was eaten less frequently (β = − 0.18). The inverse association between family meals and commercial infant cereal was only evident in children born to mothers in the intervention group. Several associations with diet were stronger and only significant among boys. Conclusions Being fed in the context of family meals at 12 months of age was associated with a more favorable diet. Including the infant in family meals has potential in the promotion of early nutritional health.


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