title: An Exploratory Analysis of Child Feeding Beliefs and Behaviors Included in Food Blogs Written by Mothers of Preschool-Aged Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study analyzed child feeding beliefs and behaviors, types of recipes, and their associations in blogs focused on child feeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors selected 13 blogs using purposive snowball sampling, from which 158 blog posts were sampled and coded using directed qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Child feeding beliefs and behaviors and types of recipes were coded using schemes developed from existing literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Code frequencies were calculated. Chi-square tests for independence examined associations between child feeding and recipe codes. Bonferroni corrections were applied: P < .05/(n tests).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Child feeding beliefs and behaviors were coded in 78% and 49% of posts, respectively. Beliefs about children's food preferences (48% of posts) and involving children in food preparation (27% of posts) were the most frequent codes. Recipes were included in 66% of posts. Most recipes were for mixed dishes (32% of recipes), followed by sweets and desserts (19% of recipes). Vegetable recipes were more likely in posts that included behavior encouraging balance and variety (χ2 [1, n = 104] = 18.54; P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blog posts contained information that may influence readers' child feeding practices. Future research should explore how mothers use blogs to learn about child feeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Electronic address: aed5142@psu.edu.
authors.forename: Allison E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Doub
authors.affiliation: Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Small
authors.affiliation: Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
authors.forename: Leann
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Birch
mesh_terms: D057218:Blogging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005502:Food; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: blogs; child feeding practices; mothers; recipes; social media