Factors predicting parental engagement of their 3- to 5-year-old child in home cooking: A Theory of Planned Behavior study

BackgroundEngaging children in home cooking can improve their nutrition behaviors; however, parents operate as the primary gatekeepers to these opportunities. While some parental barriers and facilitators have been reported, a theory-based framework to systematize factors and link them directly to behavior has yet to be developed.AimThe aim of this study was to determine factors that influence a parent's engagement of their 3- to 5-year-old child in home cooking through the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.MethodsParents of preschoolers aged 3-5 years old completed a survey assessing their behavior and intention to engage their child in home cooking. The survey quantified the impact of support from family and peers, positive attitudes toward the behavior, and perception of being able to accomplish the behavior. The relationship between these factors was defined using structural equation models.SummaryA parent's intention to engage their 3- to 5-year-old child predicted their behavior. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were predictors of intention, but attitudes were not. Support from the spouse and the child were the biggest predictors of a parent's intention, followed by parental confidence and knowledge to engage their child. Possessing a positive attitude toward the benefits might be insufficient to encourage this behavior. Instead, tactics related to increasing familial support and child interest, as well as providing training and recipes, may be more important. The application of the Theory of Planned Behavior provides salient factors related to increasing parental engagement of children in home cooking.