Identifying Determinants of Caregiver Responses to Health Messages About Optimal Child Nutrition During the First 1000 Days

Key nutritional behaviors during the first 1000 days of development (pregnancy to age 2) can affect a child's risks for obesity and related negative health conditions. Because social disadvantage can pose substantial barriers to engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors and increase obesity risk, it's particularly important to help families facing such circumstances support optimal early nutrition. Although some studies have found relevant health messaging to be effective, little previous research has focused on the mechanisms underlying successful messaging. The current study involved semi-structured interviews with pregnant women (n = 8) and mothers of children aged 0-24 months (n = 27) who were members of minoritized socio-economic or racial or ethnic groups with relatively high rates of childhood obesity. Study goals included developing an enhanced understanding of caregiver decision-making and potential obstacles to engaging in recommended behaviors to support optimal early nutrition, as well as identifying likely mechanisms underlying caregiver responses. Thematic analysis identified multiple determinants of caregiver responses related to internal or psychological factors, environmental obstacles, and individual needs. Findings may have implications for future health-focused messaging campaigns aimed at pregnant women and caregivers of young children, particularly for groups at greatest risk for childhood obesity.