The Appalachian region of the U.S. is disproportionately impacted by poverty, obesity, and nutrition-related chronic diseases. Evidence suggests that caregiver feeding practices may promote healthful eating behaviors among children; however, this has not been examined in low-income, rural, Appalachian populations. This study examines caregiver feeding practices as predictors for child diet in low-income Appalachian families, using a cross-sectional analysis of 178 caregivers of young children (ages 2–10 years old), that were recruited from low-income, rural communities in East Tennessee, from November 2017 to June 2018. In this study, higher use of caregiver modeling positively predicted child vegetable consumption. Higher caregiver intake of fruits and vegetables positively predicted child fruit consumption and vegetable consumption. Higher home availability of healthier foods positively predicted child fruit consumption and vegetable consumption. Higher home availability of less healthy foods positively predicted child consumption of high-sugar/high-fat snack foods. The findings of this study indicate that caregiver modeling, healthy caregiver dietary intake, and healthful home food availability are associated with healthier child dietary intake among young children in low-income, rural, Appalachian areas. Promoting these practices among caregivers may be an important strategy to enhancing dietary intake of children in this hard-to-reach, underserved population.
Published: August 2021
ID #: 74134
Journal: Nutrients
Authors: McIver MB, Colby S, Hansen-Petrik M, Anderson Steeves ET
Focus Areas: Diet Quality & Healthy Weight, Early Childhood
Age Groups: Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)
Keywords: Fruits and vegetables, Home, Rural
Resource Type: Journal Article
State: Tennessee
Race/Ethnicity: White
Related Research
January 2020
Appalachian Store Owners’ and Managers’ Perspectives on the Role of Their Store in the Community and in Providing Healthier Food to the Community
Appalachian communities have lower access to healthier food sources like grocery stores. Through semi-structured interviews with owner/managers of convenience stores in Appalachian communities, this qualitative study explored perceived roles and business practices of small food retailers using a grounded theory approach. Five themes emerged including strong relationships between stores and customers, the role of the MoreSeptember 2019
Appalachian Store Owners’ and Managers’ Perspectives on the Role of Their Store in the Community and in Providing Healthier Food to the Community
Appalachian communities have lower access to healthier food sources like grocery stores. Through semi-structured interviews with owner/managers of convenience stores in Appalachian communities, this qualitative study explored perceived roles and business practices of small food retailers using a grounded theory approach. Five themes emerged including strong relationships between stores and customers, the role of the MoreNovember 2016