UC ANR is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive web experience for all users. If you encounter an accessibility barrier or need content in an alternative or remediated accessible format, please contact anraccessibility@ucanr.edu.
Theresa, mom to three young children, is ready to make some changes to the families current food habits. She has identified that the open pantry filled with tasty snacks is causing some problems. Namely, the children pick from the pantry all day, and then do not want to eat the meals she prepares.
The perceived barriers that may obstruct the motivation to make dietary behavior changes in low-income parents of young children are somewhat unique from other families.
Focus groups conducted with low-income parents of children have identified some facilitators to making dietary and lifestyle changes that may address common barriers. Making changes to the behaviors of everyone in the family: Provide information about dollar costs and health benefits.
Routines are important for helping children feel safe and comfortable. Having a consistent schedule reduces feelings of stress and makes it easier for children to behave. Establishing healthy routines helps set our body clocks and promote healthy habits.
Set rules and limits and offer reminders. When a child wants to play at mealtime, say, Its time to eat. You dont have to eat, but you do have to sit with the family. When a child says they aren't hungry for dinner, say, You dont have to eat if you arent hungry, but we wont eat again until snacktime.
The following are resources that might be helpful to read through as you are setting up a routine for your family. General information on scheduling and routines: http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/family_routines_how_and_why_they_work.html/context/312 http://www.webmd.
Children should learn to eat only when they are hungry. This helps them learn how to understand their own hunger and satiation cues. Research finds that rewarding children with treats can lead to over-consumption of treat foods.
Parents can learn to manage their children's behavior by setting clear expectations and praising children for good behavior. Here are some tips parents can use: Set rules for behavior. These may be different in different places, like going out to eat, going shopping, or playing at home.
CDC: Positive Parenting Tips - Preschoolers (3-5 years old) https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/preschoolers.html The effects of praise: 7 evidence-based tips for praising kids the right way https://www.parentingscience.com/effects-of-praise.
