ABSTRACT
Using food labels can be an important component of maintaining healthy weight, but young adolescents are unlikely to have the requisite skills to make use of food labeling information. Our objectives were to determine knowledge about calories and comprehension and use of the Nutrition Facts Panel among a group of inner city African-American and Hispanic middle school students, and to engage the students in refining a Calorie Converter energy expenditure food label. We used quantitative and qualitative methods including questionnaires, focus groups, and hands-on graphic design activities. Correctly defining the word "calorie" was associated with correct answers to three of four questions requiring interpretation of the Nutrition Facts Panel [χ(2)(1, 138, p < .05) = 4.56, 4.14, and 5.61.] We incorporated students' design and content modifications for the Calorie Converter label, and the majority indicated that the energy expenditure label would influence their food selection practices.
Subject(s)
Energy Metabolism , Food Labeling , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Promotion/methods , Adolescent , Black or African American , Child , Cities , Female , Focus Groups , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Male , Motor Activity , Southwestern United States , Students , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in parental feeding practices according to ethnicity/race, household income, parent education level, acculturation (for Hispanic participants only), and participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program among parents living in a southern state in the United States. For this cross-sectional study, parents of children ages 1-5 years living throughout Texas were recruited through random digit dialing with screening questions during Fall 2006. Eligible parents who agreed to participate completed the Preschooler Feeding Questionnaire (PFQ) and a demographic questionnaire over the phone in either English or Spanish. The PFQ included five subscales: child overeating concerns, child underweight concerns, difficulty with picky eating, using food to calm, and pushing child to eat. Demographic questions assessed ethnicity/race, household income, parent education level, acculturation, and WIC participation. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with the demographic variables as predictors, was used to predict the five PFQ subscales. Complete data were obtained from 721 parents, 50% of whom were Hispanic. Significant differences for the PFQ subscales were noted for ethnicity/race, acculturation, and income level. Spanish-speaking Hispanic participants were significantly more worried about their child being underweight than English-speaking Hispanic participants. High-income non-WIC respondents were more likely to report that they have difficulty with picky eaters compared to WIC respondents. Spanish-speaking Hispanics and Black respondents were more likely than English-speaking Hispanics to use food to calm the child. Health practitioners need to be aware of differences in parental feeding practices and concerns among parents of diverse demographic backgrounds. Results from this study can be used to tailor health programs that promote healthy feeding practices among parents.
Subject(s)
Acculturation , Feeding Behavior , Income , Parenting/ethnology , Thinness , Adult , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Texas , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
This study explored preschooler feeding practices and beliefs among Spanish- and English-speaking WIC participants in Texas. The Preschooler Feeding Questionnaire examined 9 dimensions of the parent-child feeding interaction among 235 caregivers. Results from ANOVA and post hoc analyses demonstrated significant differences in reported preschooler feeding practices and beliefs among Spanish-speaking Hispanics in comparison with English-speaking Hispanics and non-Hispanics. No significant differences were found between English-speaking Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Results indicated that acculturation may impact behaviors apart from ethnicity. Nutrition professionals should understand and acknowledge the cultural context of the parent-child feeding interaction when developing programs.
Subject(s)
Diet/ethnology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Language , Mothers/psychology , Acculturation , Adolescent , Adult , Child, Preschool , Cultural Characteristics , Diet Surveys , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Public Assistance , Racial Groups , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
This study examined the personal experiences of twenty 14-to-19-year-old Texas youth cited for tobacco possession and attending a court-mandated tobacco awareness class. Guided by labeling theory, focus group questions addressed the process of citation, how youth viewed themselves following citation, how parents and peers viewed youth following citation, and youths' views on the purpose and effects of the policy. Many youth felt stupid for being caught or determined that they were unlucky. Parents were upset that youth were caught smoking; however, most knew their children smoked. Peers felt sympathy for cited youth or made fun of them for being caught. Participants felt that the law was in existence to deter younger children from initiating smoking or to encourage older minors to quit smoking. However, youth also indicated that there was no purpose to the law and that instead of decreasing smoking it could lead to its continuation. Implications for practice are discussed.
