"Eating-together" mealtimes with African-American fathers and their toddlers.
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.
Michigan State University, College of Nursing, East Lansing 48824, USA. millie@msu.edu
Mildred
M
A Horodynski
Mary Jo
MJ
Arndt
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D005639:Frustration; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016487:Parenting / Q000208:ethnology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires