title: How to help parents pack better preschool sack lunches: advice from parents for educators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This exploratory study obtained parent suggestions about messages and activities to guide parents to pack healthful sack lunches for preschool-aged children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A facilitator conducted group interviews using a modified nominal group technique with a convenience sample of parents who pack daily lunches for their children. Interviews took place after hours at child care centers in group settings. Investigators reviewed written statements for common themes then calculated frequencies of references to identified themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 31 parents participated in 3 group interviews held at 3 centers. Interest in receiving written information and in activities stimulating parent interaction were dominant themes in 29% of the comments. Workshops and activity stations were suggested in 20% of the comments. Finally, recommendations for support from local supermarkets were present in 10% of the comments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parents provided helpful suggestions that can guide nutrition educators to implement effective program messages and strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, Austin, TX 78712, USA. sjsweitz@mail.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sweitzer
authors.forename: Margaret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Briley
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roberts-Gray
authors.forename: Deanna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hoelscher
authors.forename: Deanna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Staskel
authors.forename: Fawaz D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Almansour
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002654:Child Care / Q000379:methods*; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D055815:Young Adult