Overview

Identifying Men's Roles in Increasing Children's Healthy Eating Habits

This project is investigating the relationship between father-child interactions at mealtimes and children’s healthy eating habits. The project will explore the unique roles played by men’s weight-related parenting behaviors during mealtimes and how such behaviors are related to children’s healthy eating habits during the early childhood years. This research will also pioneer new insights into the significance of a father’s role on his children’s healthy habits and its potential impact on their risk for obesity over their lifetime. This research will play a critical role in informing future family-based obesity intervention/prevention programs.

Research Team

  • Brent McBride, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
  • Kelly Bost, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator, Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
  • Hedda Meadan-Kaplansky, MS, Co-Investigator, Associate Professor, Department of Special Education

Contact: 
Dr. Brent McBride
217-300-2197; brentmcb@illinois.edu

Funding

This project is funded through the Christopher Family Foundation Food and Family Program.