Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #384727
Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: The perspectives of Black and Hispanic families on socioecological factors influencing dietary behaviors

Author
item CALLENDER, CHISHINGA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item VELAZQUEZ, DENISSE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item ADERA, MEHERET - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item DAVE, JAYNA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item OLVERA, NORMA - University Of Houston
item CHEN, TZU - University Of Houston
item ALFORD, SHANA - Common Threads
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2021
Publication Date: 5/20/2021
Citation: Callender, C., Velazquez, D., Adera, M., Dave, J., Olvera, N., Chen, T.A., Alford, S., Thompson, D.J. 2021. The perspectives of Black and Hispanic families on socioecological factors influencing dietary behaviors [abstract]. 2021 Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training and Research Summer Research Summit (Virtual). May 20, 2021. Poster presentation.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Healthy eating behaviors are encouraged for a healthy lifestyle, but children's diet quality is below the recommended guidelines. Diet-related disparities exist, with children from under-resourced, minority communities at greatest risk. These disparities increase obesity and disease risk. The Social Ecological Model posits personal and environmental factors influence behavior. Therefore, we investigated parent and child perspectives of factors that influence dietary choices. Parents/caregivers and 8-13 year olds (n=18) living in under-resourced Houston-area communities were recruited for a mixed methods study (online surveys, telephone interviews, photographs). Mobile phones were used to take photographs of factors influencing healthy eating choices; photographs were discussed during interviews. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the surveys. Interviews were digitally recorded, professionally transcribed, and double-coded using hybrid thematic analysis. Parents/caregivers were female, 40-49 years old (61%), and minority (56% Black, 44% Hispanic). Children were female (56%), Black (56%), and received free/reduced price lunch at school (95%). Mothers were well-educated (33%-some college, 22%-college degree, 11%-post graduate degree) with an annual household income of $21,000-$41,000 (44%). Interview findings revealed that personal factors, including culture, beliefs, knowledge, skills, and time, influence mothers' choices for the home food environment. Children noted taste, preferences, and beliefs as personal factors influencing their dietary behaviors. Mothers exerted a strong influence on their children's dietary behaviors. Mothers and children identified availability, cost, and temptation as key environmental influences; mothers also shared that convenience and distance influenced food choices. Understanding the perspectives and characteristics of families can provide direction on equitable strategies to improve healthful food resources for minority families living in under-resourced communities.