A Qualitative Study To Understand Parental, Health Care Provider and WIC Nutritionist Perspectives on Early Childhood Beverage Choices for WIC-enrolled Families in a Southeastern US Health System.

Abstract

Objectives: Nutritionists for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), along with healthcare providers, can influence beverage choices for young children in WIC-enrolled families. Coordination of messaging about beverages and between-provider communication may be important for facilitating behavior change.

Methods: In preparation for a planned intervention, during Spring through Fall of 2021, we conducted a qualitative study to understand perceptions around family beverage choice discussions across three groups: parents of WIC-enrolled children, WIC nutritionists and practicing clinicians. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 individuals, with sample size determined a priori. Thematic content analysis was used to summarize transcribed data.

Results: There was broad agreement that children should not consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), but disagreement on tap water safety. Both clinicians and WIC nutritionists reported educating families about healthy drink choices, and parents recalled similar messages during these conversations. Parents were very supportive of fruit juice as part of the WIC package, with near universal opposition among clinicians. Many parents expressed concerns about tap water. Both provider groups perceived difficulty in reaching out to each other, and felt more communication would be helpful.

Conclusions for practice: Our findings highlight a need for more regular communication between WIC nutritionists and children's healthcare providers within our system, and more consistent parental education on juice and tap water safety. Future studies could evaluate whether these types of communication gaps and perceptions are regional or more widespread across the US.