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“That's the routine”: A qualitative exploration of mealtime screen use in lower educated Australian families with young children
journal contribution
posted on 2023-02-13, 04:43 authored by EK Litterbach, Rachel LawsRachel Laws, Miaobing ZhengMiaobing Zheng, Karen CampbellKaren Campbell, Alison SpenceAlison SpenceBackground: Family meals are an opportune context for initiating healthy eating habits in young children. However, using screens at family mealtimes may negate some of the associated nutritional and social benefits. In High Income countries, frequent mealtime screen use is common, particularly in families of low socioeconomic position (SEP). This study aimed to explore experiences and acceptability of mealtime screen use in families of low SEP with young children. Methods: Qualitative interviews with 25 mothers of low SEP were conducted via telephone or Zoom™ using Photo Interviewing and a semi-structured interview script. Transcripts were analysed thematically using a Constructivist paradigm. Results: Many parents reported an eagerness for reducing family mealtime screen use. Three major themes were identified in explaining the reasons behind levels of engagement in family mealtime screen use. These included parental self-efficacy, such as parental confidence in saying no to screens at mealtimes, physical resources such as having enough space in the home for a functioning dining table without view of a television, and temporal priorities such as prioritising screen use for managing children's difficult behaviour at mealtimes over long-term health considerations. Conclusions: This study highlights that although family mealtime screen use is likely linked with a range of child behaviours and parenting practices that may negatively influence children's dietary intake and social engagement, parents often considered screens acceptable at mealtimes. Nonetheless, parents' desire to reduce family mealtime screen use provides an important opportunity to determine how best to support parents to achieve this.
History
Journal
AppetiteVolume
180Article number
ARTN 106377Location
EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0195-6663eISSN
1095-8304Language
EnglishPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalPublisher
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTDUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineBehavioral SciencesNutrition & DieteticsFamily mealEating behaviourFeasibilityScreenPhoto interviewSocioeconomic positionPreschoolEarly childhoodFEEDING PRACTICESEATING BEHAVIORTELEVISIONMEALSCHILDHOODHEALTHTVASSOCIATIONSPARENTSHABITSChildFemaleHumansChild, PreschoolAustraliaParentsMothersHealth StatusClinical ResearchPreventionPediatricBehavioral and Social Science7 Management of diseases and conditions7.1 Individual care needs
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