Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years. Issue 11 (18th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walsh, Adam D; Cameron, Adrian J; Crawford, David; Hesketh, Kylie D; Campbell, Karen J
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 19:Issue 11(2016)
• Page Start: 2033
• Page End: 2039
• Publication Date: 2016-04-18
• Subjects: Fathers, -- Diet, -- Young children, -- Sugar-sweetened beverages; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S136898001600077X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To examine associations between dietary intakes of fathers and their children at child age 20 months, 3·5 years and 5 years, and to determine if fathers' intake predicts change in children's intake between 20 months and 3·5 and 5 years of age. Design: The diets of fathers and their first-born children participating in the longitudinal Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using FFQ and three 24 h recalls, respectively. Setting: Sixty-two pre-existing first-time parent groups were selected from fourteen local government areas within a 60 km radius of Deakin University Burwood, Victoria, Australia. Subjects: Fathers and their first-born children at 20 months ( n 317), 3·5 years ( n 214) and 5 years of age ( n 208). Results: Positive associations were found between fathers' and children's intakes of fruit and sweet snacks at 20 months ( P =0·001) and 5 years of age ( P =0·012). Fathers' intake at child age 20 months was associated with change in children's intake for fruit, sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 3·5 years, and for sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 5 years (all P <0·05). After adjustment for maternal intake, fathers' intake of sweet snacks remained a predictor of change in children's sweet snack intake between 20 months and 3·5 years of age ( P =0·03). Conclusions: Associations between the dietary intakes of fathers and their children commence at a young age and continue through early childhood. Fathers should be included in future interventions aimed at improving children's diets.