IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i17p6075-d401898.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparison of Early Feeding Practices in Mother–Father Dyads and Possible Generalization of an Efficacious Maternal Intervention to Fathers’ Feeding Practices: A Secondary Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Lynne A. Daniels

    (School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
    Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia)

  • Kimberley M. Mallan

    (School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
    Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
    School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, 4014, Australia)

  • Elena Jansen

    (School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
    Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
    School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA)

  • Jan M. Nicholson

    (Judith Lumley Centre, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia)

  • Anthea M. Magarey

    (Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Karen Thorpe

    (School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
    Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4068, Australia)

Abstract

To compare feeding practices within mother–father dyads and explore whether outcomes of an efficacious intervention for mothers generalised to fathers’ feeding practices. The NOURISH RCT evaluated an early feeding intervention that promoted positive feeding practices to support development of healthy eating habits and growth. The intervention was delivered to first-time mothers via 2 × 12 week modules commencing when children were 4 and 14 months. Mothers self-reported feeding practice outcomes at child age 2 years using validated scales (1 = low to 5 = high) from the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ). Nine months later, an independent cross-sectional descriptive study to investigate fathers’ feeding practices was initiated. Fathers were recruited by contacting (via letter) mothers participating in two pre-existing studies, including the NOURISH trial. Fathers completed a feeding practices questionnaire, similar to that used for NOURISH outcome assessments. Seventy-five fathers recruited via the NOURISH cohort (21% response) returned questionnaires. Response data from this subset of fathers were then linked to the corresponding NOURISH maternal data. Complete data were available from 70 dyads. Compared with mothers, fathers self-reported higher concern about child overweight (2.2 vs. 1.3), restriction (3.6 vs. 2.9) and pressure (2.6 vs. 2.1), all p < 0.001. Fathers whose partners were allocated to the intervention group used less pressure (mean difference 0.46, p = 0.045) and were more willing to let the child decide how much to eat (−0.51, p = 0.032). Fathers’ higher concern about child weight and more frequent use of non-responsive feeding practices, when compared with mothers, identify them as potentially potent contributors to child feeding. This preliminary evidence for modest generalisation of an efficacious maternal intervention to apparent effects on some paternal feeding practices speaks to the importance and promise of including fathers in early feeding interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lynne A. Daniels & Kimberley M. Mallan & Elena Jansen & Jan M. Nicholson & Anthea M. Magarey & Karen Thorpe, 2020. "Comparison of Early Feeding Practices in Mother–Father Dyads and Possible Generalization of an Efficacious Maternal Intervention to Fathers’ Feeding Practices: A Secondary Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6075-:d:401898
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6075/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6075/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Davison, K.K. & Gicevic, S. & Aftosmes-Tobio, A. & Ganter, C. & Simon, C.L. & Newlan, S. & Manganello, J.A., 2016. "Fathers' representation in observational studies on parenting and childhood obesity: A systematic review and content analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(11), pages 14-21.
    2. Davison, K.K. & Gicevic, S. & Aftosmes-Tobio, A. & Ganter, C. & Simon, C.L. & Newlan, S. & Manganello, J.A., 2016. "Fathers' Representation in Observational Studies on Parenting and Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review and Content Analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(11), pages 1980-1980.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Christina Y.N. Niermann & Sanne M.P.L. Gerards & Stef P.J. Kremers, 2018. "Conceptualizing Family Influences on Children’s Energy Balance-Related Behaviors: Levels of Interacting Family Environmental Subsystems (The LIFES Framework)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, December.
    2. Cassandra M. Johnson & Marlyn A. Allicock & Joseph R. Sharkey & M. Renée Umstattd Meyer & Luis Gómez & Tyler Prochnow & Chelsey Laviolette & Elva Beltrán & Luz M. Garza, 2022. "Promotoras de Salud in a Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Border Communities: Approaches and Lessons Learned from Collaboration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez & Francisco Javier Huertas-Delgado & Yaira Barranco-Ruiz & María Jesús Aranda-Balboa & Palma Chillón, 2020. "Are the Parents’ and Their Children’s Physical Activity and Mode of Commuting Associated? Analysis by Gender and Age Group," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Cassandra M. Johnson & Joseph R. Sharkey & M. Renée Umstattd Meyer & Luis Gómez & Marlyn A. Allicock & Tyler Prochnow & Elva Beltrán & Luz Martinez, 2021. "Designing for Multilevel Behavior Change: A Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Mexican-Heritage Families in South Texas Border Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-23, September.
    5. Gago, Cristina M. & Jurkowski, Janine & Beckerman-Hsu, Jacob P. & Aftosmes-Tobio, Alyssa & Figueroa, Roger & Oddleifson, Carly & Mattei, Josiemer & Kenney, Erica L. & Haneuse, Sebastien & Davison, Kir, 2022. "Exploring a theory of change: Are increases in parental empowerment associated with healthier weight-related parenting practices?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    6. Jennifer M. Grossman & Amanda M. Richer & Belinda F. Hernandez & Christine M. Markham, 2022. "Moving from Needs Assessment to Intervention: Fathers’ Perspectives on Their Needs and Support for Talk with Teens about Sex," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.
    7. Aysegul Baltaci & Silvia Alvarez de Davila & Alejandro Omar Reyes Peralta & Melissa N. Laska & Nicole Larson & Ghaffar Ali Hurtado & Marla Reicks, 2021. "Adolescent-Reported Latino Fathers’ Food Parenting Practices and Family Meal Frequency Are Associated with Better Adolescent Dietary Intake," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, August.
    8. Darcy A. Thompson & Andrea M. Jimenez-Zambrano & Haley Ringwood & Jeanne M. Tschann & Lauren Clark, 2023. "Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-16, April.
    9. O'Gara, Jaimie L. & Zhang, Anao & Padilla, Yolanda & Liu, Chun & Wang, Kaipeng, 2019. "Father-youth closeness and adolescent self-rated health: The mediating role of mental health," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    10. Maura M. Kepper & Amanda E. Staiano & Peter T. Katzmarzyk & Rodrigo S. Reis & Amy A. Eyler & Derek M. Griffith & Michelle L. Kendall & Basant ElBanna & Kara D. Denstel & Stephanie T. Broyles, 2019. "Neighborhood Influences on Women’s Parenting Practices for Adolescents’ Outdoor Play: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-16, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6075-:d:401898. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.