Family members' influence on family meal vegetable choices.
OBJECTIVE
Characterize the process of family vegetable selection (especially cruciferous, deep orange, and dark green leafy vegetables); demonstrate the usefulness of Exchange Theory (how family norms and experiences interact with rewards and costs) for interpreting the data.


METHODS
Eight focus groups, 2 with each segment (men/women vegetable likers/dislikers based on a screening form). Participants completed a vegetable intake form.


METHODS
Rural Appalachian Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Sixty-one low-income, married/cohabiting men (n = 28) and women (n = 33).


METHODS
Thematic analysis within Exchange Theory framework for qualitative data. Descriptive analysis, t tests and chi-square tests for quantitative data.


RESULTS
Exchange Theory proved useful for understanding that regardless of sex or vegetable liker/disliker status, meal preparers see more costs than rewards to serving vegetables. Experience plus expectations of food preparer role and of deference to family member preferences supported a family norm of serving only vegetables acceptable to everyone. Emphasized vegetables are largely ignored because of unfamiliarity; family norms prevented experimentation and learning through exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions to increase vegetable consumption of this audience could (1) alter family norms about vegetables served, (2) change perceptions of experiences, (3) reduce social and personal costs of serving vegetables, and (4) increase tangible and social rewards of serving vegetables.
Wenrich
Tionni R
TR
Department of Food Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. trk122@psu.edu
Brown
J Lynne
JL
Miller-Day
Michelle
M
Kelley
Kevin J
KJ
Lengerich
Eugene J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012424:Rural Population; D014675:Vegetables
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