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Changing the Home Food Environment: Parents’ Perspectives Four Years after Starting Obesity Treatment for Their Preschool Aged Child

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  • Paulina Nowicka

    (Department of Food Studies Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
    Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Johan Keres

    (Dietitian Unit, Region Sörmland, 611 88 Nyköping, Sweden)

  • Anna Ek

    (Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Karin Nordin

    (Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Pernilla Sandvik

    (Department of Food Studies Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden)

Abstract

Changing the home food environment is key to childhood obesity treatment. However, new challenges arise as the child grows older. This study investigates parents’ views on the longer-term management of the home food environment, 4 years after starting obesity treatment for their preschool-aged child. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 parents (85% mothers, 48% with a university degree) of 33 children (mean age 9.3 (SD 0.7), 46% girls) from Sweden. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Two main themes were developed. Making changes in the home food environment illustrates the types of changes families make over time in relation to child development. It consists of three subthemes: covert changes, overt changes and child-directed changes. The second theme, an ongoing negotiation , captures parents’ experiences of managing the home food environment as a continuous process of balancing and recalibrating in relation to present challenges and concerns about the future. It includes three subthemes: concern and care, two steps forward one back and maintaining everyday balance. Managing the home food environment is a constant process affected by everyday life, parents’ strategies and the child’s development. Our findings can strengthen childhood obesity treatment and help prepare parents for challenges that lie ahead.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulina Nowicka & Johan Keres & Anna Ek & Karin Nordin & Pernilla Sandvik, 2021. "Changing the Home Food Environment: Parents’ Perspectives Four Years after Starting Obesity Treatment for Their Preschool Aged Child," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11293-:d:666129
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eli, Karin & Howell, Kyndal & Fisher, Philip A. & Nowicka, Paulina, 2016. "A question of balance: Explaining differences between parental and grandparental perspectives on preschoolers' feeding and physical activity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 28-35.
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