Latino Father Sociodemographic Characteristics And Food- And Activity-Related Parenting Practices

Abstract

Background: Hispanic fathers’ sociodemographic characteristics may be related to rates of parenting practices. Objective: To examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics of Hispanic fathers and their parenting practices regarding energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs) of Hispanic youth and to compare perceptions of food security in the home among matched pairs of Hispanic mothers and fathers. Methods: Methods included cross-sectional analysis of surveys conducted with Hispanic families with children ages 10-14 in Minneapolis/St. Paul and other regions of Minnesota. Results: Father employment and age were associated with paternal parenting practices for each EBRB. Across all three parenting practices, physical activity (PA) was the EBRB most affected by father sociodemographic characteristic. Hispanic mother/father pairs had 75% agreement with regard to food security status. Conclusions: Hispanic fathers may play a role in the energy balance-related behaviors of their children. Obesity interventions can be tailored to target fathers at certain ages and employment levels.