title: Mothers' Perspectives on the Development of Their Preschoolers' Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors and Parent-Child Relationship: Implications for Pediatric Primary Care Physicians.
abstract: The study explores female caregivers' reflections on their relationship with their child (2-5 years old) and the development of their child's dietary and physical activity behaviors. Five, 90-minute semistructured focus groups were conducted to inquire about children's growth, eating behaviors and routines, physical activity, personality, and the parent-child relationship. Nineteen female caregivers diverse in race/ethnicity, age, and educational attainment participated. Participants reported that they maintained a schedule, but needed to be flexible to accommodate daily responsibilities. Family, social factors, and day care routines were influences on their children's behaviors. The main physical activity barriers were safety and time constraints. Guidance from pediatric primary care providers aimed at supporting female caregivers to build a positive foundation in their parent-child relationship, and to adopt and model healthy diet and physical activity behaviors that are respectful of schedules and barriers should be a priority for childhood obesity prevention.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Human Sciences, Human Development and Family Science Program, The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Keeley J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Human Sciences, Human Development and Family Science Program, The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Fossen
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Human Sciences, Human Development and Family Science Program, The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cotto-Maisonet
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Human Sciences, Human Development and Family Science Program, The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Elizabeth N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.affiliation: 2 Director, Center for Healthy Weight and NutritionNationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Oh 43205.
authors.forename: Ihuoma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eneli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: diet; obesity prevention; parent-child relationship; parenting; physical Activity