Rural perspectives on family nutrition and physical activity: Results from focus groups with parents of elementary-age children

Introduction: Rural residency presents unique opportunities and challenges for maintaining healthy body weight. Whether and how family environments, practices, and policies contribute to obesity-related behaviors in rural settings is not well defined. This qualitative research described parent perspectives on how and why rural residency influences family nutrition and physical activity habits in the home environment.

Methods: Nine focus groups were conducted among six rural, low-income, Oregon communities. Participants included 36 parents of elementary-age children from 26 families. A semi-structured interview guide was used to elicit perspectives on family eating and activity habits; the influence of family practices, policies, and features of the home environment; and barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and activity opportunities. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparative technique to identify themes.

Results: Preliminary findings suggest factors such as community availability of produce, home gardens, and not watching TV during mealtime influenced family eating habits whereas weather, adequate play spaces, and screen time practices influenced physical activity.  Time was an important factor associated with eating and activity habits. Additional findings are anticipated to reveal perceived conditions associated with nutrition and activity behaviors as related to constructs of Social Cognitive Theory. 

Discussion: Understanding the supports for and barriers to eating healthfully and being physically active, as experienced by rural families, will inform future intervention strategies to promote healthy nutrition and activity environments in rural family homes. Findings may also facilitate efforts to provide consistent opportunities to practice weight-healthy behaviors across community, school, and home environments.