title: The nutrition needs of low-income families regarding living healthier lifestyles: Findings from a qualitative study.
abstract: Pediatric obesity and nutrition-related problems continue to be problematic around the world. The purpose of the current qualitative study was to learn more about the barriers low-income, minority families face to healthy living and where they turn for health-related information. Five focus groups were conducted using open-ended standardized questions. Standardized transcript analysis and coding techniques were used to arrive at five saturated themes. The project was conducted in partnership with a community based Early/Head Start agency. Adult parents of preschool children were invited to participate. Results indicate that low-income minority families face many barriers to eating healthily: while families do eat some healthy foods, they also eat many unhealthy foods; they rely primarily on family members for their nutrition information; they have some desire to change their own health habits (but generally not those of their children); and they have inadequate nutritional knowledge. Options for better reaching this population with important health information are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA adavis6@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA.
authors.forename: Christie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Befort
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steiger
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA.
authors.forename: Shanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mijares
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult