Eating‐competent, low‐income parents model eating behaviors associated with reducing risk of child obesity

Eating competence of low‐income parents of 3rd, 4th or 5th graders was assessed with the Satter Eating Competence Inventory for Low‐Income (ecSI/LI) audiences (n=309) and compared to parent self‐efficacy in providing and preparing fruits and vegetables (FV), their household FV availability, and obesity risk‐reducing feeding behaviors (e.g. eating breakfast). Parents were mostly Hispanic (78 %), female (89%) with some post‐high school education (49.2%) and a mean age of 37.2 ± 7.7 y. As a group, 58.9% were eating competent (EC) (ecSI/LI score ≥ 32); mean ecSI/LI score of 33.6 ± 8.5 did not differ between male or female parents. Compared to those with low ecSI/LI scores, EC parents had more vegetable types available (6.4 ± 1.6 vs 5.9 ± 1.6, P=.016) and more frequently prepared meals and ate dinners with their child (all P<.032). Overall self‐efficacy scores were significantly higher (P=.032) in EC parents; they felt more able than non‐EC parents to include FV in snacks that their children would eat (all P<.03). Parent modeling of positive eating behaviors was significantly greater in EC than non‐EC parents (P<.001). EC parents were more likely to eat breakfast, dinner and FV with their child (all P< .04). Findings contributed to EC construct validation and suggested school‐age nutrition education outcome assessments include measures of parental eating competence. Funded by USDA‐CSREES‐NRI‐2007‐05062.