Barriers and facilitators to healthy eating during post-partum among non-Hispanic Black mothers

Maternal diet is a key predictor of child diet, yet an in-depth inquiry into the barriers and facilitators for the adoption of healthy eating behaviours during the post-partum period is lacking, specifically for non-Hispanic Black mothers. This study used qualitative research methods to investigate healthy eating practices among a sample of non-Hispanic Black mothers participating in a family-based obesity prevention intervention. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 mothers who participated in the Mothers and Others: Family-based Obesity Prevention for Infants and Toddlers intervention trial. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A deductive and inductive process was used to develop a consensus codebook; once the data were coded, matrices were developed to explore the data and identify similarities and differences between respondents. Relevant themes were identified, and salient quotes were used to illustrate each theme. Mothers believed that time and taste were significant barriers to eating healthy. Social influence and social support had both positive and negative influences on mothers' ability to adopt healthy eating behaviours. Despite their children often being a facilitator to healthy eating, many mothers struggled with finding the time, energy and desire to focus on themselves when it came to healthy eating. Many mothers were intent on preparing healthy meals and snacks for their children but did not prepare them for themselves. Future interventions should focus on the importance of role-modelling healthy eating behaviours for their children and include behaviour change strategies that incorporate skill-building activities emphasizing time-saving methods for planning and preparing healthy meals and snacks for the whole family to eat.