Abstract
This study qualitatively examines contrasting parental decision-making styles about
family food choices and physical activities as well as willingness to change behaviors
among Mexican-American and Mexican immigrant mothers and fathers of school-aged children.
Twelve sex-specific focus groups were held in English or Spanish in 2012. Qualitative
analysis informed by grounded theory examined parenting styles (ie, authoritative,
authoritarian, or permissive), barriers to healthy lifestyle, and parents’ stage of
change about healthy lifestyles. One third of the 33 participating couples were born
in Mexico. The majority of mothers and fathers described being permissive and allowing
unhealthy food choices, and a minority of mothers reported more authoritarian approaches
to promoting a healthier diet for their children. Mothers were more permissive than
fathers about family physical activities and less engaged in these activities. Most
mothers and fathers described only contemplating a healthier diet and more physical
activity, while wanting their children to have a healthier lifestyle. These data suggest
that clinicians need to assess and address differential parental roles when promoting
a healthy lifestyle for children. Clinicians should also adopt culturally competent
approaches to overcome barriers to parental engagement in diverse aspects of a healthy
family lifestyle.
Keywords
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Biography
B. J. Turner is director, ReACH Center, and professor of medicine and adjunct professor of family and community medicine, University of Texas, Health Science Center San Antonio; and adjunct professor, University of Texas School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Biography
N. Navuluri is an MD and MPH student, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Biography
P. Winkler is director of the South Central Area Health Education Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Biography
S. Vale is a data analyst, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Biography
E. Finley is an anthropologist and qualitative data analyst, Veterans Evidence-Based Research, Dissemination, and Implementation Center (VERDICT), South Texas Veterans Health Care System; adjunct assistant professor, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; and adjunct assistant professor, The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 12, 2014
Accepted:
November 25,
2013
Footnotes
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT E. Finley is an investigator with the Implementation Research Institute (IRI) at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis through an award from the National Institute of Mental Health (R25 MH080916-01A2) and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development Service, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI).
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
