Paternal self-efficacy for promoting children's obesity protective diets and associations with children's dietary intakes

Journal article


Walsh, Adam D., Hesketh, Kylie D., Hnatiuk, Jill A. and Campbell, Karen J.. (2019). Paternal self-efficacy for promoting children's obesity protective diets and associations with children's dietary intakes. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 16(1), p. Article 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0814-5
AuthorsWalsh, Adam D., Hesketh, Kylie D., Hnatiuk, Jill A. and Campbell, Karen J.
Abstract

Objective
Fathers’ parenting behaviours contribute to the development of children’s dietary behaviours and subsequent weight outcomes, yet the majority of research focusses on maternal influences. Understanding fathers’ perceptions of their effectiveness to influence children’s dietary behaviours will allow the development of whole-of-family interventions promoting obesity protective behaviours. This unique study is the first to investigate 1) tracking of paternal self-efficacy for promoting obesity protective dietary intakes in young children; 2) demographic characteristics of fathers and their self-efficacy category; and 3) associations between paternal self-efficacy and young children’s dietary intakes.

Methods
Paternal self-efficacy for promoting children’s obesity protective dietary intakes was assessed longitudinally from fathers (n = 195) in the Extended Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial Program at child age 4 and 36 months. Multinomial logistic regression examined self-efficacy tracking categories (persistently high; persistently low; increasing; decreasing) by paternal age, education and BMI. Linear regression examined associations between paternal self-efficacy tracking categories and child dietary intakes at 36 months.

Results
Paternal self-efficacy for promoting children’s obesity protective dietary intakes reduced over time. Fathers with trade/certificate or university qualifications had lower odds of having persistently low/decreasing self-efficacy (97 and 87% lower respectively) compared to high-school educated fathers. Positive associations (β (95% CI)) were observed between paternal self-efficacy category and children’s dietary intakes at 36 months: increasing self-efficacy and fruit (β89.8 (6.8; 172.7)), and vegetables (β39.2 (12.2; 66.2)); persistently high self-efficacy and water (β69.1 (2.9; 135.1)); decreasing self-efficacy and non-core drinks ((β30.1 (10.1; 50.1)). Persistently high self-efficacy was negatively associated with non-core drinks (β-20.2 (− 34.8; − 5.5)), with negative associations observed between decreasing self-efficacy and children’s intakes of fruit (β − 49.9 (− 87.5; − 12.3)), vegetables (β-19.9 (− 31.7; − 8.2)) and water (β-92.4 (− 172.6; − 12.3)).

Conclusions
Higher and/or sustained paternal self-efficacy is associated with fathers’ education and is important in promoting children’s obesity protective dietary intakes. Associations between paternal self-efficacy and children’s dietary intakes are present at a young age. This investigation was unique in its focus on paternal self-efficacy for promoting children’s obesity protective dietary intakes and associations with children’s dietary intakes. Future family interventions should consider how to maintain and/or improve paternal self-efficacy to promote obesity protective intakes from early childhood.

Keywordsfathers; diet; early childhood; self-efficacy; parenting
Year2019
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Journal citation16 (1), p. Article 53
PublisherBiomed Central Ltd
ISSN1479-5868
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0814-5
PubMed ID31253143
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85068401120
PubMed Central IDPMC6599370
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1-8
FunderWorld Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), World Health Organization
Australian Research Council (ARC)
National Heart Foundation of Australia
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online28 Jun 2019
Publication process dates
Accepted18 Jun 2019
Deposited23 Aug 2022
ARC Funded ResearchThis output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Grant ID2010/244
FT130100637
100370
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