Responsive feeding is associated with a reduced risk of childhood obesity. The objective of this qualitative study was to determine parental preferences for mobile health (mHealth) app content and features designed to improve responsive feeding practices. Parents of 0–2-year-old children were interviewed individually. Interview questions were informed by the Technology Acceptance Model, and parents provided feedback on sample app content and features. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by two researchers using thematic analysis; responses were compared by parent gender and income. Parents (n = 20 fathers, n = 20 mothers) were, on average, 33 years old, low-income (50%), identified as non-white (52.5%), and had a bachelor’s degree or higher (62%). Overall, parents were most interested in feeding tips and recipe content, and app features that allowed tracking child growth and setting feeding goals. Fathers were most interested in content about first foods, choking hazards, and nutrition information, while mothers preferred content on breastfeeding, picky eating, and portion sizes. Parents with lower incomes were interested in nutrition guidelines, breastfeeding, and introducing solids. Non-low-income parents preferred information related to food allergies, portion sizes, and picky eating. The findings of this study provide considerations when developing mHealth apps to improve responsive feeding practices in parents.

Children living in food-insecure households have poorer overall health than children in food-secure households. While U.S. nutrition assistance programs provide resources, these cannot consistently offer age-appropriate nutritional foods for young children. This study aimed to determine community stakeholders’ perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to obtaining adequate, high-quality, and age-appropriate foods for children ages 0–3 in Florida before and during COVID-19. Community stakeholders (n = 32) participated in a 60 min interview via Zoom using a semi-structured script based on the PRECEDE component of the PRECEDE–PROCEED model. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded by two researchers using a thematic analysis approach. Stakeholders’ perceptions revealed a lack of awareness surrounding eligibility for assistance programs, a lack of knowledge regarding how to obtain resources and services, and stigma associated with receiving benefits. These remained significant barriers to obtaining healthful foods for households with young children before and during COVID-19. Nonetheless, barriers were exacerbated during the pandemic. Unemployment rates rose, intensifying these households’ financial hardships and food insecurity levels. Likewise, stakeholders suggested the need for families to become more aware of federal assistance eligibility requirements and available opportunities via social media and referrals. Identifying risk factors associated with food insecurity can inform future interventions to safeguard young children’s health and well-being.

This qualitative study aimed to determine the perceived barriers of different community stakeholders’ to providing resources for improving food security in households with young children in the U.S. Community stakeholders working with low-income families with children 0–3 years of age in Florida were recruited to represent healthcare (n = 7), community/policy development (n = 6), emergency food assistance (n = 6), early childhood education (n = 7), and nutrition education (n = 6) sectors. In 2020, one-on-one interviews were conducted with each stakeholder in via Zoom, using an interview script based on the PRECEDE–PROCEED model and questions to capture the impacts of COVID-19. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a deductive thematic approach. A cross-tab qualitative analysis was used to compare data across categories of stakeholders. Healthcare professionals and nutrition educators indicated stigma, community/policy development stakeholders indicated a lack of time, emergency food assistance personnel indicated a limited access to food, and early childhood professionals indicated a lack of transportation as the main barriers to food security prior to COVID-19. COVID-19 impacts included the fear of virus exposure, new restrictions, lack of volunteers, and a lack of interest in virtual programming as barriers to food security. As perceived barriers may vary with respect to providing resources to improve food security in families with young children and the COVID-19 impacts persist, coordinated policy, systems, and environmental changes are needed.