Abstract
Family meals may improve diet and weight outcomes in children; however, results from nationally representative samples suggest that these relationships vary by race/ethnicity. Observing parent-child mealtime interactions may lend insight to why racial/ethnic differences exist. In this pilot study, a multi-ethnic sample of low-income families (. n=. 30) with a preschool-age child was videotaped during a dinner in their home. A global coding scheme was used to assess the following: '. Action' (behaviors that divert attention from eating), '. Behavior Control' (behaviors intended to modify another person's behavior), and '. Communication' (i.e., meal-oriented, interpersonal, and critical). All families spent a significant amount of time in 'action' oriented behaviors that diverted their attention from eating. We also observed racial/ethnic differences in communication (i.e. critical) and behavior patterns (i.e. behavior control). This study demonstrated that this approach for observing parent-child mealtime interactions in a naturalistic setting among a diverse study sample was feasible; however, future studies should address how these patterns relate to dietary intake and weight status.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 451-455 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Eating Behaviors |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- African-American
- Eating behavior
- Family
- Hispanic
- Obesity
- Preschool
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health