Background: In child obesity research and nutrition interventions that aim to reduce child obesity risk the specific inputs of fathers are under-represented. Yet studies that have included fathers suggest that they play a unique role in the feeding environment and child health outcomes. This study aimed to assess fathers’ interest in participating in healthy eating programs and specifically to identify their preferred intervention focus and mode of delivery.
Methods: Recruitment of fathers was via a university email list and two community-based family research cohorts. Fathers (N=436) aged 37±6 years (34% university educated; 89% living with child) of 2-5 year old children (mean age 3.5±0.9 years, 53% boys) completed questions identifying their confidence and knowledge of healthy eating, willingness to participate in healthy eating programs, with focus on type and mode of delivery.
Results: Most fathers (≥80%) knew what and how much their children should eat and were confident about providing healthy food. Interest was greater in learning about healthy eating for the child (67%) than themselves (51%). Fathers preferred a focus on the family (58%), compared to individual (32%), group (24%) or fathers-only (23%) programs. Perceived usefulness varied between online (45%), written information (28%), information DVD (28%), interactive social network (11%) and mobile phone (5%) programs. University educated fathers rated the online program and written information as more useful compared to fathers with no university degree (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Successful access and engagement of fathers in child feeding interventions might increase via an online and family-focused program that focuses on learning about healthy eating for the child. This is in line with other research indicating that fathers prefer to be targeted in interventions to support their family, rather than undergoing a “self-help” program.