Mothers’ Perspectives on the Development of Their Preschoolers’ Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors and Parent-Child Relationship: Implications for Pediatric Primary Care Physicians

The study explores female caregivers’ reflections on their relationship with their child (2-5 years old) and the development of their child’s dietary and physical activity behaviors. Five, 90-minute semistructured focus groups were conducted to inquire about children’s growth, eating behaviors and r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical pediatrics 2017-07, Vol.56 (8), p.766-775
Main Authors: Pratt, Keeley J., Van Fossen, Catherine, Cotto-Maisonet, Jennifer, Palmer, Elizabeth N., Eneli, Ihuoma
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Barriers
Caregivers
Child Behavior - psychology
Child, Preschool
Children
Diet - methods
Diet - psychology
Exercise
Exercise - psychology
Female
Focus Groups
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Medical personnel
Middle Aged
Minority & ethnic groups
Mothers - psychology
Mothers - statistics & numerical data
Obesity
Parent-Child Relations
Pediatrics
Pediatrics - methods
Personality
Physical activity
Preschool children
Primary care
Primary Health Care - methods
Routines
Schedules
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
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Summary:The study explores female caregivers’ reflections on their relationship with their child (2-5 years old) and the development of their child’s dietary and physical activity behaviors. Five, 90-minute semistructured focus groups were conducted to inquire about children’s growth, eating behaviors and routines, physical activity, personality, and the parent-child relationship. Nineteen female caregivers diverse in race/ethnicity, age, and educational attainment participated. Participants reported that they maintained a schedule, but needed to be flexible to accommodate daily responsibilities. Family, social factors, and day care routines were influences on their children’s behaviors. The main physical activity barriers were safety and time constraints. Guidance from pediatric primary care providers aimed at supporting female caregivers to build a positive foundation in their parent-child relationship, and to adopt and model healthy diet and physical activity behaviors that are respectful of schedules and barriers should be a priority for childhood obesity prevention.
ISSN:0009-9228
1938-2707
DOI:10.1177/0009922816684598