Fathers’ Presence Makes a Difference During Children’s Evening Meals

This observational study used descriptive analysis to improve understanding of the relationship between fathers’ presence or absence, the occurrence of mothers’ feeding practices, and child eating behaviors at evening meals. Participants were 141 Mexican-origin families with children aged 8 to 10 years. We coded behavioral observations of video-recorded meals. Three parental feeding practices were established a priori : (1) pressure to eat, (2) restriction of amount of food, and (3) positive involvement in child’s meals. Additionally, we identified child eating behaviors and food eaten. Fewer mothers engaged in certain types of positive involvement in child’s meals when fathers were present at the meals, compared to when fathers were absent. Regarding child eating behaviors, when fathers were present, more children engaged in positive talk about food, compared to when fathers were absent. Additionally, when fathers were present, more children ate grains and fewer ate fruit, compared to when fathers were absent. Family mealtime with Mexican American children may provide an opportunity for fathers, alongside mothers, to communicate about and participate in children’s food consumption. Research on obesity in families should include a focus on fathers’ feeding practices, such as positive involvement in a child’s meals, that may complement mothers’ feeding practices.