Introduction: The family food environment provides an essential setting for childhood development and is where food behaviours begin and are most strongly influenced. Mealtimes in Australia are deeply influenced by culture and tradition, yet current feeding and mealtime practices and beliefs within Australia’s First Nations population is currently underrepresented in the literature, particularly compared to research on non-Indigenous approaches to feeding. Understanding First Nations families feeding values and practices can inform culturally responsive clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this research was to describe First Nations Australians' attitudes, beliefs and behaviours about parental feeding and mealtimes.
Method: This research was co-designed with First Nations staff from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, Refocus. Using a qualitative Yarning research method, First Nations and non-Indigenous staff members from Refocus will participate in two yarning circles from May to June 2023, co-facilitated by a First Nations Investigator and a research assistant. Yarning circles will be audio-recorded, and data will be analysed qualitatively via visual mapping and thematic analysis. Participants will be invited to review initial findings in the second yarning circle.
Findings: It is anticipated that a collection of themes and a visual map of connected themes will be generated about local First Nations families. This may assist us in shared understanding of attitudes and practices related to feeding, and how health workers and services can support First Nation families’ feeding practices.
Conclusion: It is anticipated that this research will contribute to increased knowledge about the perspectives of First Nations families on feeding and mealtimes practices. It is hoped that this knowledge will be useful for improving the cultural responsiveness of health services for childhood feeding difficulties and for informing future research.