Understanding family food purchasing behaviour of low-income urban UK families: An analysis of parent capability, opportunity and motivation

Abstract

Objective Family food purchasing decisions have a direct influence on children's food environments and are powerful predictors of obesity and dietary quality. This study explored parents' capability, opportunities, and motivations regarding food purchasing for their families, as well as barriers and facilitators of healthy food purchasing behaviour, in an ethnically diverse, low-income area. Design Semi-structured interviews with parents of under-11-year-old children were conducted to investigate family food purchases, both when eating inside and outside the home. Interviews were analysed using framework analysis mapped against the COM-B model (Michie et al., 2011). Setting An ethnically diverse, low-income area in Birmingham, UK. Participants Sixteen parents (13F, 3M) of under-11-year-old children. 75% Pakistani, 12.5% White British, 6.3% White and Black Caribbean, and 6.3% “Other”. Results Four themes were identified: i) I know how to provide healthy meals for my family, ii) Family food purchase decisions are complex, iii) I want what they are eating and iv) Healthy eating is important but eating outside of the home is a treat. The barriers of healthy family food purchasing were predominantly at family and community levels, including time, cost, and both parents' and children's food enjoyment and preferences. Facilitators of healthy family food purchasing were primarily identified at an individual level, with high levels of capability and motivation for healthy food provision. Conclusions Attempts to enhance parental capability to improve healthy food purchasing through nutrition education is not likely to be a useful intervention target in this group. Emphasis on enjoyment, palatability and value for money could be key to increasing parental motivation to purchase healthy family foods.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107183
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Psychology
College of Health & Life Sciences > Aston Institute of Health & Neurodevelopment (AIHN)
College of Health & Life Sciences
Aston University (General)
Funding Information: This work was supported by Aston University/Research England Strategic Priority Funding.
Additional Information: © 2024 The Authors. CC BY
Uncontrolled Keywords: Behaviour change,COM-B,Family,Food environment,Food purchase decisions,Parent,General Psychology,Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication ISSN: 1095-8304
Last Modified: 02 Dec 2024 09:03
Date Deposited: 09 Jan 2024 09:34
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://www.sci ... 6454?via%3Dihub (Publisher URL)
http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2024-04-01
Published Online Date: 2024-01-04
Accepted Date: 2023-12-21
Authors: Screti, Cassandra
Edwards, Katie (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-1076-8382)
Blissett, Jacqueline (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-0275-6413)

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License: Creative Commons Attribution

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