Jennifer Utter1, Simon Denny2, Bridget Farrant2, Steve Cribb3. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: j.utter@auckland.ac.nz. 2. Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 3. Le Va, Manukau City, New Zealand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of a family meal intervention to address indicators of parent and adolescent nutrition and well-being and household food security. METHODS: Nine adolescents and a parent/caregiver were recruited from a youth health clinic. Families were provided with meal plans, recipes, and ingredients for 5 meals weekly for 4 weeks. Participants completed baseline and follow-up surveys and open-ended interviews. RESULTS: Overall, fidelity to the intervention was high among families; the frequency of family meals increased by approximately 2 meals/wk. Both parent/caregivers and adolescents reported improvements to nutrition (4 of 9 increased vegetable consumption for both) and most reported improvements to mental well-being. Household food insecurity also reduced during the intervention (means of 8.2 and 0.2 at baseline and follow-up, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Providing families with meal plans, recipes, and ingredients is an acceptable way to increase weekly frequency of family meals. Future research may consider the family meal as a way to engage with families about broader concerns.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of a family meal intervention to address indicators of parent and adolescent nutrition and well-being and household food security. METHODS: Nine adolescents and a parent/caregiver were recruited from a youth health clinic. Families were provided with meal plans, recipes, and ingredients for 5 meals weekly for 4 weeks. Participants completed baseline and follow-up surveys and open-ended interviews. RESULTS: Overall, fidelity to the intervention was high among families; the frequency of family meals increased by approximately 2 meals/wk. Both parent/caregivers and adolescents reported improvements to nutrition (4 of 9 increased vegetable consumption for both) and most reported improvements to mental well-being. Household food insecurity also reduced during the intervention (means of 8.2 and 0.2 at baseline and follow-up, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Providing families with meal plans, recipes, and ingredients is an acceptable way to increase weekly frequency of family meals. Future research may consider the family meal as a way to engage with families about broader concerns.
Authors: Jiwoo Lee; Sarah Friend; Melissa L Horning; Jennifer A Linde; Colleen Flattum; Rebecca Lindberg; Jayne A Fulkerson Journal: Appetite Date: 2022-01-16 Impact factor: 3.868