Evaluation of Parental Acceptability and Use of Intervention Components to Reduce Pre-School Children’s Intake of Sugar-Rich Food and Drinks

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Christensen, Bodil Just
  • Sidse Marie Sidenius Bestle
  • Ellen Trolle
  • Anja Pia Biltoft-Jensen
  • Jeppe Matthiessen
  • Sarah Jegsmark Gibbons
  • Anne Dahl Lassen

Knowledge is needed about effective tools that reach public health objectives focused on reducing the intake of sugar-rich foods and drinks. The purpose of this study was to assess the parental acceptability, use and motivational potential of intervention components developed in the randomized family-based trial ‘Are you too sweet?’ aimed at reducing the intake of sugar-rich foods and drinks among children (5–7 y). Intervention components included guidance on sugar-rich foods and drinks at a school health nurse consultation, a box with home-use materials and a digital platform. The methods used were a questionnaire among intervention families (n = 83) and semi-structured interviews with parents in selected intervention families (n = 24). Results showed the good acceptability and usefulness of the components, with reported frequencies of use of materials ranging from 48% to 94% and a high satisfaction rate with the school health nurse consultation. Personalized feedback and guidance from the school health nurse seemed to be a motivational trigger, and components that were compatible with existing practices were most frequently used. However, the components were not considered engaging by all families. Overall, intervention components were well received and hold the potential for enhancing parental knowledge and parenting practices regarding limiting the intake of sugar-rich foods and drinks.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7967
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume19
Issue number13
ISSN1661-7827
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

    Research areas

  • dietary guidelines, discretionary food, family-based intervention, pre-school children, qualitative interviews, school health nurse, social cognitive theory

ID: 336829410