Head Start Families Thoughts and Beliefs about Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity

Abstract

In-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of Head Start families participating in an intervention comparison research study in a southwestern state.  Families were asked to share thoughts and beliefs about eating and physical activity habits.  Questions were asked in relation to consumption of healthy snacks, consumption of fruits and vegetables, influences on purchasing and eating habits, eating out patterns, physical activity, and perceptions of what it means to be healthy.  Both intervention and comparison families felt it was essential to consume fresh fruits and vegetables.  Economic reasons were cited by respondents as the main reason for not consuming fruits, vegetables, and healthy snacks regularly. While families from both the intervention and the control groups noted that their preschooler influenced their food purchases (about one-fourth of parents were always influenced), children from the intervention group began requesting healthy foods.  Families stated engaging in daily physical activity was important; however, barriers such as health restrictions, work schedules, weather, and personal preferences affected levels of physical activity.   Information from this study is guiding improvements to a preschool program targeting childhood obesity.