Emily A Taylor1,2, Jaime S Foster1,3, Amy R Mobley4,5. 1. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Hill Road Extension, Unit 4017, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA. 2. Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA. 3. Connecticut Food Bank, Wallingford, CT, USA. 4. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Hill Road Extension, Unit 4017, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA. amy.mobley@ufl.edu. 5. Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118210, Gainesville, FL, 32611-8210, USA. amy.mobley@ufl.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine attitudes about body weight and weight loss among low-income parents of young children experiencing household food insecurity. METHODS: One-on-one interviews were conducted with 25 dyads of cohabitating low-income mothers and fathers who lived with their child aged 2.5-10 years old. Basic inductive analysis was conducted using NVivo to identify emerging themes related to body weight. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged including (1) weight loss as a "Blessing in Disguise," (2) trouble with losing weight, and (3) the impact of compromised diet quality. Some differences existed in themes between mothers and fathers, but both placed value on weight loss resulting from food insecurity. CONCLUSION: This research underscores the importance of sufficient nutrition assistance for limited resource families. A lack of money for food was a barrier towards maintaining a healthy weight but the value our culture places on weight loss even in times of despair was undeniably present. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
PURPOSE: To examine attitudes about body weight and weight loss among low-income parents of young children experiencing household food insecurity. METHODS: One-on-one interviews were conducted with 25 dyads of cohabitating low-income mothers and fathers who lived with their child aged 2.5-10 years old. Basic inductive analysis was conducted using NVivo to identify emerging themes related to body weight. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged including (1) weight loss as a "Blessing in Disguise," (2) trouble with losing weight, and (3) the impact of compromised diet quality. Some differences existed in themes between mothers and fathers, but both placed value on weight loss resulting from food insecurity. CONCLUSION: This research underscores the importance of sufficient nutrition assistance for limited resource families. A lack of money for food was a barrier towards maintaining a healthy weight but the value our culture places on weight loss even in times of despair was undeniably present. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Authors: Vivienne M Hazzard; Laura Hooper; Nicole Larson; Katie A Loth; Melanie M Wall; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: Prev Med Date: 2021-11-17 Impact factor: 4.018