Kieley L Chapman, Arlette M Caballero-Gonzalez, Lauren Fiechtner, Elsie M Taveras, Allison J Wu
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Caregiver and pediatrician perspectives on a meal kit delivery program for children with food insecurity and obesity: a qualitative analysis.
Background: The importance of addressing food insecurity in clinical settings has been highlighted in the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guidelines for the treatment of childhood obesity. There is limited research on food security interventions for childhood obesity in the healthcare setting, particularly research that includes caregiver and pediatrician perspectives.
Objective: To explore caregiver and pediatrician perspectives related to a meal kit delivery program for families with children 6-11 years old with obesity and food insecurity.
Design: Qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews with caregivers and pediatricians were conducted between July and November 2023.
Participants/setting: Of 29 caregivers and 12 pediatricians enrolled in a meal kit delivery program based at a clinic in Boston, Massachusetts, 13 caregivers and seven pediatricians were interviewed.
Analysis: Codebooks were generated using an inductive approach. NVivo12 was used to perform thematic coding analysis.
Results: Most caregivers reported the meal kits were easy and convenient to use. A few caregivers noted that use of the meal kits was limited by time and lack of preferred foods. Caregivers were split on the sufficiency of the meal kit food quantity. Most caregivers perceived the program improved food security and provided "hands-on" nutrition education. Several desired a longer program duration, more variety, and customization to align with preferred foods. Pediatricians perceived the meal kits met a social and clinical need, though barriers to referral included forgetting to refer and competing demands.
Conclusion: A meal kit delivery program was perceived to be beneficial for families with children with obesity and food insecurity. However, caregivers identified several barriers to using meal kits and both caregivers and pediatricians suggested areas of improvement, such as through customization and program financial sustainability, which warrant addressing prior to integration in the healthcare setting.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the premier source for the practice and science of food, nutrition, and dietetics. The monthly, peer-reviewed journal presents original articles prepared by scholars and practitioners and is the most widely read professional publication in the field. The Journal focuses on advancing professional knowledge across the range of research and practice issues such as: nutritional science, medical nutrition therapy, public health nutrition, food science and biotechnology, foodservice systems, leadership and management, and dietetics education.
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