Parental role modeling of fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks is associated with children's adequate consumption

Abstract

Research has shown that parental role modeling of healthful eating behaviors is positively correlated to children's dietary intake and fruit and vegetable (F&V) preferences. The purpose of this study is to (1) examine associations between parent and child report of parental role modeling of F&V consumption at snacks and dinner and (2) determine whether parental role modeling is associated with children meeting daily F&V recommendations. Parent-child dyads (N = 160) participating in the HOME Plus study completed baseline surveys on parental role modeling of F&V at snacks and dinner. Children also completed 24-hour dietary recalls. Spearman correlations and chi-square/Fisher's exact tests were used to examine relationships between parent and child report of parental role modeling of F&V at snacks and dinner and whether children met daily recommendations. On average, children consumed less than three daily servings of F&V with only 23% consuming the recommended servings. Statistically significant correlations were seen between parent and child report of parental role modeling fruit at dinner and green salad at dinner. Children who reported parental role modeling of vegetables at snack and salad at dinner were significantly more likely, than those who did not, to meet daily F&V recommendations. Parents who reported role modeling fruit at snack were significantly more likely to have children who met daily F&V recommendations. Results indicate that children are aware of their parents' eating behaviors and on occasion report this behavior similarly to their parents. Parents should be encouraged to utilize the opportunity to role model healthful dietary intake, especially at snacks, where consumption of F&V appears low.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01538615.

Keywords: Child nutrition; Family meals; Fruit and vegetable; Parent; Role modeling; Snacks.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Comparisons of parent and child reports of parental role modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption at snacks * Statistical significance at p

Figure 2

Comparisons of parent and child reports of parental role modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption at dinner * Statistical significance at p

Figure 3

Comparisons of parent and child reports of parental role modeling of salad consumption and filling ½ of plate with fruits and vegetables at dinner * Statistical significance at p

Figure 4

Percentage of children meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption by parental role modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption at snacks Response options were dichotomized into “Usually/Always,” and “Sometimes, Hardly Ever, Never” * Statistical significance at p

Figure 5

Percentage of children meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption by parental role modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption at dinner Response options were dichotomized into “Usually/Always,” and “Sometimes, Hardly Ever, Never” * Statistical significance at p

Figure 6

Percentage of children meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption by parental role modeling of salad consumption and filling ½ of plate with fruits and vegetables at dinner Response options were dichotomized into “Usually/Always,” and “Sometimes, Hardly Ever, Never” * Statistical significance at p