2023/05/09 by Andreia Ferreira Moura, Alice Grønhøj, Jessica Aschemann‐Witzel
Medicine · Psychology · #Eating Disorders and Behaviors #Nutritional Studies and Diet #Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/jhn.13179
openalex publication_date 2023/05/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity rates have been rapidly increasing worldwide. Several actions to reduce this trend have addressed maternal feeding practices. However, research reports an unwillingness to taste healthful foods expressed by children and fathers, which represents a major obstacle to a healthy diet in the family household. The present study aims to propose and qualitatively evaluate an intervention to increase fathers' involvement with their families' healthy eating through exposure to new/disliked healthy foods. METHODS: Fifteen Danish families took part in a 4-week online intervention involving picture book reading, a sensory experience session and the cooking of four recipes with four targeted vegetables (celeriac, Brussels sprouts, spinach and kale) and two spices (turmeric and ginger). Interviews were conducted with the families and the content was analysed through a blended or abductive approach. RESULTS: Participating in the activities motivated children and fathers to try new vegetables and spices, and increased fathers' sense of self-efficacy toward cooking, tasting new foods and healthy feeding. For the family, the intervention acted as a trigger to consume a higher variety of vegetables and spices and prompted feelings of "food joy". The outcomes observed are of importance considering the relatively low cost and the remote approach of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the fact that fathers play an important role in the home food environment. We conclude that fathers should be included to a higher extent in food and nutrition strategies aimed at promoting healthy weight development in their children.