Parental Perceived Facilitators for and Barriers to Participating in a Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Early Childhood Obesity: A Qualitative Evaluation

Abstract

This study aimed to examine low-income mothers’ perceived facilitators for and barriers to participating in a lifestyle intervention. A phenomenography approach was used to individually interview 14 mothers from Midwestern U.S. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Drawing on the socio-ecological model, mothers’ perceived facilitators included (a) intrapersonal factors including providing helpful information, being accommodating, motivating, and novel; (b) interpersonal factors, including two-way communication between mothers and preschoolers, social connectedness among mothers, and a positive relationship between mothers and researchers; and (c) environmental factors, including kid-friendly, and pleasant and comfortable intervention sites. Mothers’ reported barriers were intrapersonal factors including (a) use of technology due to unreliable Wi-Fi access and unfamiliarity of electronic device, (b) being “busy moms” due to busy schedules and stressful daily lives, and (c) lack of reliable transportation. Future interventions to reduce early childhood obesity among low-income families should consider these identified facilitators and barriers.