157493 Preschooler feeding practices and beliefs: Differences among Spanish- and English-speaking WIC clients

Monday, November 5, 2007: 9:15 AM

Jennifer Greenberg Seth, ScM , Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Alexandra Evans, PhD , Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Karol K. Harris, PhD , Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Jennifer J. Loyo, MEd , Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Tara Campbell Ray, MA , Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Carol Spaulding, MS , Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Nell H. Gottlieb, PhD , Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
     
Background: Although it is commonly accepted that parental feeding practices are associated with childhood overweight, little research on feeding practices among Hispanic parents has been conducted.

Objective: This study examined preschooler feeding practices and beliefs among low-income Spanish and English speakers in Texas.

Methods: Participants included 235 adults whose children were enrolled in the Texas Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the fall of 2005. The Preschooler Feeding Questionnaire examined nine dimensions of the parent-child feeding interaction among the caregivers in our sample.

Results: Controlling for education, significant differences were found in feeding practices and beliefs among the three groups of participants. ANOVA analyses indicated that the three groups differed significantly for six feeding practices: Parental worry about weight status (p<.001), Concern about child overeating (p<.05), Pushing child to eat more (p<.05), Use of positive incentives (p< .01), Child's control of feeding (p< .001), and Use of bottle (p< .05). Post hoc analyses showed significant differences in preschooler feeding practices and beliefs among Spanish-speaking Hispanics compared to English–speaking Hispanics and non-Hispanics. No significant differences were found between English-speaking Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Because language was used as a proxy for acculturation, these results suggest that acculturation may be as or more important than ethnicity when addressing parental feeding practices.

Implications: The Hispanic population is diverse in their beliefs and practices. Acculturation may impact behaviors more than ethnicity alone. Nutrition professionals should understand and acknowledge the cultural context of the parent-child feeding interaction when developing programs.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the differences in preschooler feeding practices and beliefs among Spanish-speaking Hispanics, English-speaking Hispanics, and non-Hispanics. 2. Recognize that there is a cultural context to the parent-child feeding interaction.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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