Exploring parental attitudes and practices during complementary feeding
type: CreativeWork
description: Background Children’s introduction and transition to a mixed diet is gradual and covers the first 18-24 months of life. In the UK, all parents have the opportunity to access information on complementary feeding (also referred to as weaning) through the health services. Parental adherence to the weaning guidelines however, has been assessed to be unsatisfactory on a national level. A big challenge therefore for researchers working in the field of complementary feeding is to understand the factors that influence parents’ decisions regarding weaning and target those that are associated with the level of compliance to the weaning guidelines. Aim and objectives This project aims to increase understanding of the factors that influence parents’ feeding behaviours and attitudes during the complementary feeding period in high-income countries, particularly in the United Kingdom. Methods Three studies were undertaken to achieve the overall aim: 1) Using a framework approach, a systematic review synthesised qualitative evidence available from four electronic databases in relation to weaning practices of parents in developed countries with a child younger than 3 years. 2) A qualitative study gathered data from eight focus groups consisting of 37 mothers from Northern Ireland with a healthy child in weaning age. Using inductive thematic analysis opportunities to establish healthy eating habits during complementary feeding, and relevant challenges were explored. 3) An online survey collected data from 466 mothers and 30 fathers living in the UK with a healthy child up to the age of 18 months. This study investigated the factors associated with the timing of introduction of solid foods and the quality of weaning diet. Results Qualitative data revealed a high maternal perceived value for food diversity during complementary feeding. Modelling healthy foods, using covert approaches to feed, and offering repeated exposure to foods were some practices that mothers engaged in to establi…
abstract: Background Children’s introduction and transition to a mixed diet is gradual and covers the first 18-24 months of life. In the UK, all parents have the opportunity to access information on complementary feeding (also referred to as weaning) through the health services. Parental adherence to the weaning guidelines however, has been assessed to be unsatisfactory on a national level. A big challenge therefore for researchers working in the field of complementary feeding is to understand the factors that influence parents’ decisions regarding weaning and target those that are associated with the level of compliance to the weaning guidelines. Aim and objectives This project aims to increase understanding of the factors that influence parents’ feeding behaviours and attitudes during the complementary feeding period in high-income countries, particularly in the United Kingdom. Methods Three studies were undertaken to achieve the overall aim: 1) Using a framework approach, a systematic review synthesised qualitative evidence available from four electronic databases in relation to weaning practices of parents in developed countries with a child younger than 3 years. 2) A qualitative study gathered data from eight focus groups consisting of 37 mothers from Northern Ireland with a healthy child in weaning age. Using inductive thematic analysis opportunities to establish healthy eating habits during complementary feeding, and relevant challenges were explored. 3) An online survey collected data from 466 mothers and 30 fathers living in the UK with a healthy child up to the age of 18 months. This study investigated the factors associated with the timing of introduction of solid foods and the quality of weaning diet. Results Qualitative data revealed a high maternal perceived value for food diversity during complementary feeding. Modelling healthy foods, using covert approaches to feed, and offering repeated exposure to foods were some practices that mothers engaged in to establi…
author: Spyreli, Eleni
language: eng
keywords: complementary feeding, solid food introduction, weaning guidelines, feeding behaviours, parental practices
date published: 2020-12
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:55:25Z
provider: Queen's University Belfast
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Queen's University Belfast