Beschreibung:
Early childhood obesity prevention from birth to 24 months of age (B‐24) is a growing public health concern. However, the child feeding and activity information provided to parents is limited and inconsistent which may contribute to confusion regarding obesity prevention for their children. This is partially due to the lack of uniform dietary guidelines to promote healthy weight in children from B‐24. The objective of this qualitative study was to identify common resources and recommendations used by health and education providers and any misconceptions or barriers faced when educating parents on early childhood feeding and activity practices. One‐on‐one interviews were conducted with health and education providers (n=14) working with families of young children from a variety of demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Interviews were audio‐taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the classic analysis approach. The study results revealed several important themes including how only healthcare providers, but not education providers, working with children B‐24 directly address childhood obesity prevention with parents. Providers reported confusion from parents about when to transition to solid foods and how much or what to feed their child as commonly perceived barriers to optimal child feeding. Parental misconceptions about feeding were often due to cultural, family and media influences, as well as lack of personal knowledge or experience. Screen time and physical activity of children B‐24 were much less of a concern to providers. Sources of child feeding information used by providers to educate parents were derived mainly from online sites and often from non‐evidence based sources. Providers indicated a need for consistent feeding and childhood obesity prevention messaging and free, non‐commercial sources of online information to provide to parents.Support or Funding InformationThe Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut, Inc.