An Examination of the Relationships Among Parents' Health Behaviors, Health Beliefs, and Knowledge and Attitudes about Early Childhood Nutrition.

摘要

Health beliefs influence parents' attitudes and behaviors regarding how and what they feed their preschool children from 2 to 5 years of age. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parents' knowledge and attitudes about early childhood nutrition and their health beliefs that contribute to their health behaviors that influence their children's physical and mental well-being. The conceptual framework for this study was the health belief model that explains why some people fail to practice health-related behaviors that could help reduce risk of disease. A quantitative, nonexperimental research design was used, with parents completing a survey that included sections on health beliefs and behaviors regarding childhood nutrition, as well as knowledge and attitudes of nutrition. Participants (N = 143) were African American parents of children from 2 to 5 years of age who were attending preschool programs. Data were analyzed using correlational analyses and regression. Parents' knowledge of nutrition and parents' perceptions of preschool childhood nutrition were correlated with their health beliefs. Parents educational level was a statistically significant predictor of perceptions of preschool childhood nutrition. While parents appear to have some knowledge of nutrition, participation in workshops could help them learn to use the new Food Plate recommendations from the United States Department of Agriculture. Society can benefit because improved preschool children's nutrition can result in the development of healthy eating habits that can lead to better adult health outcomes, allowing them to be productive, enjoy life, and reduce early onset of chronic illness.