Dietary and physical activity patterns: examining fathers' perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity adversely affects children, yet limited information is available on the familial environmental influence of fathers. The purpose of this study was to examine fathers' influences on their children's eating and activity patterns.


METHODS
Participants for this mixed methods study was a convenience sample of 51 multi-ethnic fathers of children 8-12 years of age, who completed surveys addressing dietary and physical activity behaviors.


RESULTS
An association was found between fathers' and children's weight status. Half the children snacked without parental guidance.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses need to assist children and their families to develop effective weight management strategies.
Snethen
Julia A
JA
College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA. julia@uwm.edu
Broome
Marion E
ME
Kelber
Sheryl
S
Leicht
Sandra
S
Joachim
Jackie
J
Goretzke
Maribeth
M
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin