Spicing up food interactions: Development of a healthy food education activity targeting fathers and their young children

TY - JOUR

T1 - Spicing up food interactions: Development of a healthy food education activity targeting fathers and their young children

AU - Ferreira de Moura, Andreia

AU - Grønhøj, Alice

AU - Aschemann-Witzel, Jessica

PY - 2023/10

Y1 - 2023/10

N2 - Background: Childhood obesity rates have been rapidly increasing worldwide. Several actions to reduce this trend have addressed maternal feeding practices. However, research reports an unwillingness to taste healthful foods expressed by children and fathers, which represents a major obstacle to a healthy diet in the family household. The present study aims to propose and qualitatively evaluate an intervention to increase fathers' involvement with their families' healthy eating through exposure to new/disliked healthy foods. Methods: Fifteen Danish families took part in a 4-week online intervention involving picture book reading, a sensory experience session and the cooking of four recipes with four targeted vegetables (celeriac, Brussels sprouts, spinach and kale) and two spices (turmeric and ginger). Interviews were conducted with the families and the content was analysed through a blended or abductive approach. Results: Participating in the activities motivated children and fathers to try new vegetables and spices, and increased fathers' sense of self-efficacy toward cooking, tasting new foods and healthy feeding. For the family, the intervention acted as a trigger to consume a higher variety of vegetables and spices and prompted feelings of “food joy”. The outcomes observed are of importance considering the relatively low cost and the remote approach of the intervention. Conclusions: The results highlight the fact that fathers play an important role in the home food environment. We conclude that fathers should be included to a higher extent in food and nutrition strategies aimed at promoting healthy weight development in their children.

AB - Background: Childhood obesity rates have been rapidly increasing worldwide. Several actions to reduce this trend have addressed maternal feeding practices. However, research reports an unwillingness to taste healthful foods expressed by children and fathers, which represents a major obstacle to a healthy diet in the family household. The present study aims to propose and qualitatively evaluate an intervention to increase fathers' involvement with their families' healthy eating through exposure to new/disliked healthy foods. Methods: Fifteen Danish families took part in a 4-week online intervention involving picture book reading, a sensory experience session and the cooking of four recipes with four targeted vegetables (celeriac, Brussels sprouts, spinach and kale) and two spices (turmeric and ginger). Interviews were conducted with the families and the content was analysed through a blended or abductive approach. Results: Participating in the activities motivated children and fathers to try new vegetables and spices, and increased fathers' sense of self-efficacy toward cooking, tasting new foods and healthy feeding. For the family, the intervention acted as a trigger to consume a higher variety of vegetables and spices and prompted feelings of “food joy”. The outcomes observed are of importance considering the relatively low cost and the remote approach of the intervention. Conclusions: The results highlight the fact that fathers play an important role in the home food environment. We conclude that fathers should be included to a higher extent in food and nutrition strategies aimed at promoting healthy weight development in their children.

KW - disliked vegetables

KW - family

KW - father

KW - self-efficacy

KW - sensory play

KW - vegetable exposure

U2 - 10.1111/jhn.13179

DO - 10.1111/jhn.13179

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37158136

SN - 0952-3871

VL - 36

SP - 1795

EP - 1810

JO - Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

JF - Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

IS - 5

ER -