Table 4.
Sample Quotes, by Theme, of Low-Income Mothers of Different Ethnicity/Race in Response to Childhood Obesity Prevention Messages
| Eat less foods that are high in calories and low in nutrition |
| • White mothers are unfamiliar with this message |
| ∘ “If the food is low in nutrition, I don't think it has much to do with weight.”(white mother #9) |
| • Hispanic mothers were unable to clearly connect how this message impacts weight |
| ∘ “Everything affects their weight.” (Hispanic mother #1) |
| • Black mothers attempt to follow this message or change current behavior |
| ∘ “We try to follow the message. We eat fried things, but we are trying to add in vegetables.” (black mother #1) |
| Drink less sweetened beverages |
| • White mothers view soda as a special treat and it is allowed occasionally |
| ∘ “I drink a lot of diet soda. The kids drink milk, water, and juicy juice. If the kids are good they may occasionally be allowed to have one soda about one time a month.” (white mother #3) |
| • Black mothers report their children drink water and juice most often |
| ∘ “Sweetened beverages are not a problem for us, but my daughter drinks a lot of juice. I know juice is good but not all day long. It's hard to wean her off when she whines.” (black mother #5) |
| Eat more fruits and vegetables |
| • White mothers believe fruits and/or vegetables take the place of other unhealthy foods. |
| ∘ “If they eat more healthy stuff, they won't eat as much of the fattening stuff. A sweet fruit is less calories than a piece of candy.” (white mother #3) |
| • White mothers offer fruits and/or vegetables at snacks or meals |
| ∘ “We make our kids eat them (fruits and/or vegetables) at meals. We do sliced apples for snacks. They have to eat a vegetable and a fruit at each meal. They don't get up from the table if they don't eat their fruits and vegetables.” (white mother #3) |
| • Hispanic mothers reported that their children prefer fruits over vegetables |
| ∘ “We don't do much about fruits and vegetables. We have two to three fruits each day. My daughters don't eat vegetables.” (Hispanic mother #6) |
| Choose healthful foods when eating out |
| • Hispanic mothers consider salad as a healthy option. |
| ∘ “I heard on the TV and radio you should choose salads at McDonald's™.” (Hispanic mother #4) |
| • Black mothers do not attempt to choose healthy options. |
| ∘ “We don't eat out often. We go out to eat 1 time a month. If I'm going out to eat, I'm not trying to think about eating healthy. We get the kids their happy meals and I'm getting a Big Mac.” (black mother #9) |
| • White mothers attempt to choose healthy options or make substitutions. |
| ∘ “We require the kids to eat vegetables or salads prior to other food. I allow them to eat fries if they eat vegetables first.” (white mother #3) |
| Eat breakfast every day |
| • White mothers believe breakfast starts metabolism or curbs appetite |
| ∘ “They will be less hungry and won't overeat. They will have better portion control throughout the day. It keeps weight consistent.” (white mother #10) |
| • Hispanic mothers believe breakfast keeps people healthy |
| ∘ “It depends on what they eat. If they eat good, then they will be healthy.” (Hispanic mother #9) |
| • Black mothers report that children eat breakfast every day, but they do not. |
| ∘ “If I don't eat breakfast then I have a snack before lunch time. I don't eat it every day because then I would have to get up earlier.” (black mother #6) |
| Watch portion sizes |
| • Hispanic mothers believe large portions can lead to overeating |
| ∘ “A child will become obese with large portions because they overeat.” (Hispanic mother #8) |
| • Black mothers allow the child to dictate his or her own portion size |
| ∘ “I put food on the kids' plates. I imagine what she will eat and how much it will take her to get full. If she likes something then I may give her a little more of that.” (black mother #5) |
| • White mothers attempt to control portion sizes |
| ∘ “I give them a little bit of everything at first and if they want more, I just give them a little bit more. I usually stop them after a second serving.” (white mother #3) |
| Eat together as a family |
| • White mothers believe that family meals are beneficial because parents can control a child's intake. |
| ∘ “You get to pay attention to what your child is eating. I have one child that would be extremely overweight if I didn't pay attention to what he ate.” (white mother #8) |
| • Black mothers report that they eat together about 5-7 times per week. |
| ∘ “We eat together because it's convenient, but not every night because sometimes I don't sit down and eat with the kids.” (black mother #6) |
| Limit TV/computer/video games |
| • If children are not watching TV, then they are more active |
| ∘ “They don't get enough exercise if they are in front of the TV. They will gain weight.” (black mother #4) |
| • Black mothers place a limit on screen time |
| ∘ My son tries to get 4 hours every day. I shut it off after 1 hour on the weekdays. On Fridays and Saturdays he gets extra time.” (black mother #1) |
| • Hispanic mothers replace screen time with other activities. |
| ∘ We go outside and play. We go to my mom's house when it's cold outside so my kids can play with my sister's kids. They are only allowed 1 hour each day (TV) when it's nice (outside).” (Hispanic mother #8) |