Feeding practices among preschoolers living in low-income households in rural Wisconsin, a PhotoVoice project

Abstract

Obesity rates are high among the preschool-aged group. Research shows obesity rates are higher in low-income and rural populations. The purpose of this study was to explore the dietary habits of preschool-aged children living in low-income households in rural Wisconsin by conducting Photovoice research with families. This study assessed the educational needs of this population in order to design interventions and tools to better meet the needs of this population. Eighteen preschool-aged children living in low-income households and their parent(s) enrolled in the study. Researchers met with parents throughout the process to collect demographic information and conduct interviews. Every interview was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, independently analyzed, and discrepancies were reconciled by three researchers through opencoding methods. Frequency and descriptive data were analyzed from the demographic information. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) eating environment; (2) feeding strategies; and (3) food choice. Results indicated that screen time was one way parents occupied children during meals and feeding strategies utilized by parents were not always consistent with recommendations. Furthermore, parents reported community programs were useful for providing educational information. This information can be used to develop nutrition education interventions that better meet this population's needs.