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Using the socio‐ecological model to assess the factors involved in getting preschool children to consume fruits and vegetables
Author(s) -
Herrera Helen R.,
Chika Satoko,
Perez Alex,
Goodell L. Suzanne
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.989.16
Subject(s) - social ecological model , consumption (sociology) , ecological psychology , psychology , intervention (counseling) , ecological systems theory , order (exchange) , developmental psychology , ecology , social psychology , sociology , business , biology , finance , psychiatry , social science
In order to understand human behavior and the ability for an individual to consume fruits and vegetables (FV), it is important to understand not just the individual, but also the actual environment within which the individual exists. Ecological models encompass an evolving body of theory and research concerned with the processes and conditions that govern the lifelong course of human development. The social‐ecological model presents a framework for understanding facilitators and motivators that influence the capacity to which a parent can manage to feed his/her child FV and get them to eat it. FV consumption among preschool children does not meet the dietary recommendations for FV. Because parents are mainly responsible for feeding their children, we conducted focus groups to gain better understanding of the impact of FV consumption in preschool children from low‐ income families through socio‐ecological lens. Although preliminary results, parents discussed themes at each level of the model, including wanting to be role models and desire to be healthier. Gaining this understanding can provide guidance for developing culturally appropriate, yet effective, intervention strategies for low‐income individuals and families with integration of socio‐ecological concepts.