Table 3.

Themes of Childhood Obesity Prevention Messages by Perceptions and Practices of Mothers (n=30) of Different Ethnicity/Race

Race/ethnicity
	White, non-Hispanic	Black, non-Hispanic	Hispanic
Eat less foods that are high in calories and low in nutrition
Perceptions	Unfamiliar with this message Extra calories lead to weight gain.	Familiar with this message Following this message prevents weight gain.	These foods (“junk food”) cause weight gain. No clear connection as to how message impacts weight
Practices		Attempt to follow this message or change current behavior
Drink less sweetened beverages
Perceptions	Soda is a sweetened beverage. Sugar adds calories, which lead to weight gain.	Soda is a sweetened beverage. Kool-Aid is a sweetened beverage. Sweetened beverages have a lot of sugar. Extra sugar can lead to weight gain.	Soda is a sweetened beverage. Extra calories or sugar lead to weight gain.
Practices	Soda is viewed as a special treat and is allowed occasionally. Children drink milk, water, and juice most often.	Children drink water and juice most often.	Children drink soda and juice most often.
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Perceptions	Fruits and/or vegetables take the place of other unhealthy foods.	Fruits and/or vegetables are “healthy.” No clear connection as to how fruits/vegetables impact weight	Fruits and/or vegetables are “good for you” or “healthy.” No clear connection as to how fruits/vegetables impact weight
Practices	Offer fruits and/or vegetables at snacks or meals.	Offer fruits and/or vegetables at snacks and meals.	Children prefer fruits over vegetables.
Choose healthful foods when eating out
Perceptions	Salads and fruits and/or vegetables are considered healthy options. Choosing healthful foods prevents weight gain.	Choosing healthful foods prevents weight gain.	Salads are considered a healthy option.
Practices	Attempt to choose healthy options or make substitutions.	Do not attempt to choose healthy options. Eat outside of the home about two times per month	Eat outside of the home about two times per month
Eat breakfast everyday
Perceptions	Breakfast starts metabolism or curbs appetite. Breakfast prevents children from overeating at the next meal or snack.	No clear connection as to how breakfast impacts weight	Most important meal of the day Breakfast keeps people healthy.
Practices	Children eat breakfast every day, but mom does not.	Children eat breakfast every day, but mom does not.	Children eat breakfast every day, but mom does not. Mom and children eat breakfast every day.
Watch portion sizes
Perceptions	If portion size is not controlled, then children will overeat.		Aware that there are recommended portion sizes for foods Large portions can lead to overeating.
Practices	Put portions on child's plate. Attempt to control portion sizes.	Child dictates her/his own portion size.	Do not attempt to control portion sizes.
Eat together as a family
Perceptions	Family meals are important for communication. Family meals are beneficial because parents can control a child's intake.	Family meals are important for communication. No clear connection as to how family meals impact weight or will not impact weight	Family meals are important for communication. Family meals will not impact weight or no clear connection as to how family meals impact weight.
Practices	Eat all dinner meals together	Eat together about 5–7 times per week	Eat all dinner meals together
Limit TV/computer/video games
Perceptions		If children are not watching TV, then they are more active.	If children are not watching TV, then they are more active.
Practices	Time limit placed on screen time	Limit placed on screen time	Limit placed on screen time Replace screen time with other activities.