Learning from Peers: A Qualitative Study to Inform the Development of a Community Tailored Peer Support Intervention...

Obesity is a chronic disease that has negative health consequences for children. Peer support models have been used to manage chronic diseases like diabetes; however, little is known about how a peer support intervention might promote healthy infant growth to prevent pediatric obesity. The aim of this project was to explore parental perspectives on how a peer support intervention might be developed to support healthy infant weight gain and nutrition.

Data were collected from November 2022 to October 2023 at a single pediatric primary care clinic. Semi-structured interviews explored parents' perspectives of how a peer parent coach could promote healthy infant nutrition and growth. Interviews focused on (1) common infant feeding and nutrition questions, (2) the role and importance of peer support during the newborn period, and (3) strategies for addressing and facilitating connections to food-related resources and addressing food insecurity.

A total of 18 interviews were conducted. Average parental age was 32.1 years (range 20-46 years). Thirty-three percent of the participants identified as Black, 28% identified as White, 11% identified as Asian, and the remaining identified as Other or preferred not to report. Half of the sample reported a household income of <$20,000, 67% reported having public insurance, and 11% reported household food insecurity. Themes that emerged included: peer parent coaches can (1) provide emotional support to families with young infants, (2) education focused on infant nutrition, and (3) facilitate connections with nutrition resources. Participants also noted the importance of understanding a family's unique culture when counseling on infant growth and nutrition.

Multiple themes were identified about how a peer support intervention could support healthy infant nutrition and growth. Future work should test the feasibility and acceptability of a peer support intervention to promote healthy infant weight gain.