Mothers of preschoolers report using less pressure in child feeding situations following a newsletter intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of written intervention materials on child feeding practices of mothers and on physical activity behaviors of preschoolers.


METHODS
Mothers were divided into 3 groups: newsletter (n = 30), booklet (n = 31), and control (n = 31). Questionnaires were completed before and after a 12-week intervention.


METHODS
Mail correspondence.


METHODS
White (90%), full-time mothers (76%) in their thirties (68%).


METHODS
Nutrition and activity information was provided as twelve 4-page weekly newsletters or one 52-page booklet.


METHODS
Child feeding factors, physical activity practices.


METHODS
Child feeding factors were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon. Physical activity practices were analyzed using 2-way chi-square and sign tests. The significance level was set at .0125.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in the "pressure to eat" score for participants in the newsletter group (2.5 +/- 1.0 to 2.1 +/- 1.0, P < .01). No other differences in feeding practices were observed. At baseline, 43% of the mothers said their child spent at least 1 hour per day in active play, and 63% said their child watched television less than 2 hours per day. A significant increase in outdoor play was reported in the newsletter (P < .01) and control (P < .01) groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is one of the first to indicate that child feeding practices may be modifiable.
Essery
Eve V
EV
Institute for Women's Health, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas 76204, USA. EEssery@mail.twu.edu
DiMarco
Nancy M
NM
Rich
Shannon S
SS
Nichols
David L
DL
D000328:Adult; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires