"Eating-together" mealtimes with African-American fathers and their toddlers

Appl Nurs Res. 2005 May;18(2):106-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2004.05.002.

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in African-American children. Fathers influence mealtime behaviors but are often overlooked in nutrition education. A sample of six African-American fathers of toddlers participated in a focus group to describe mealtime behaviors with their toddlers. The focus group was audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Five thematic categories were identified: mealtime rituals and routines, division of responsibility, family constellation, nutritional knowledge, and tension during mealtimes. Fathers expressed frustration with the toddler's "picky-eater" developmental stage. Fathers need to be included in nutrition education that promotes healthy mealtime habits with their toddlers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Black or African American / ethnology*
  • Child Nutrition Sciences / education
  • Child, Preschool
  • Father-Child Relations*
  • Fathers / education
  • Fathers / psychology*
  • Feeding Behavior / ethnology*
  • Focus Groups
  • Frustration
  • Health Education / organization & administration
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Michigan
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Obesity / ethnology
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Parenting / ethnology*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Stereotyping
  • Surveys and Questionnaires