Jeffrey So

Responsive feeding supports nurturing caregiving and encourages healthy eating in early childhood. Food insecurity can hinder families' ability to adopt positive practices and access support. This qualitative study evaluated participants' experiences and behavioural impacts of Eat, Learn, Grow, a co-designed digital microlearning programme that promotes responsive feeding among families facing food insecurity. Nineteen participants completed semi-structured interviews after completing the programme, which consisted of 12 brief digital modules and a hard-copy resource pack. Data were analysed thematically guided by the COM-B model of behaviour change. Participants found the intervention to be accessible and engaging. The brief, flexible modules aligned with their learning needs and preferences, and the multimedia format and social media-style interface supported engagement. While the physical resources offered behavioural reinforcement, the digital component was described as more impactful. The programme enhanced participants' capability by increasing knowledge and confidence, reducing stress and mealtime tensions. It created opportunity through flexible learning and priming family discussions on child feeding. Motivation was driven by observable improvements in children's eating behaviours, reduced stress, and alignment with parenting values. Behavioural changes included more positive food experiences and shared family meals, pressuring children to eat less often, and increased repeated food exposure. Eat, Learn, Grow was well-received and regarded as accessible, practical, and supportive. The design and delivery facilitated the adoption of responsive feeding within challenging family contexts of limited time, high mental load, and stress. Findings provide insight into how theory-informed microlearning can promote responsive feeding among families facing food insecurity.

Background:
Fathers play a pivotal role in parenting and child feeding, but they remain underrepresented in intervention studies, especially those focused on disadvantaged populations. A better understanding of fathers’ experiences and needs regarding support access and child nutrition information in the context of disadvantage can inform future interventions engaging fathers.

Objective:
This study aims to explore fathers’ experiences; perceived enablers; and barriers to accessing support and information related to parenting, child feeding, and nutrition and to co-design principles for tailoring child nutrition interventions to engage fathers.

Methods:
Australian fathers of children aged 6 months to 5 years with lived experience of disadvantage participated in semistructured interviews and co-design workshops, primarily conducted via videoconference. Creative analogies were used to guide the ideation process in the workshops.

Results:
A total of 25 interviews and 3 workshops (n=10 participants) were conducted, with data analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation–Behavior model. The interview data illuminated factors influencing fathers’ initiation in seeking support for parenting, child feeding, and nutrition, including their experiences. It highlighted fathers’ diverse information needs and the importance of an inclusive environment and encouragement. Enablers and barriers in accessing support related to parenting and child nutrition were identified at the individual (eg, personal goals and resource constraints), interpersonal (family support and false beliefs about men’s caregiving role), organizational (inadequate fathering support), and systemic levels (father-inclusive practice and policy). Digital data collection methods enabled Australia-wide participation, overcoming work and capacity barriers. Videoconferencing technology was effectively used to engage fathers creatively. Key principles for engaging fathers were co-designed from the workshop data. Interventions and resources need to be father specific, child centered, and culturally appropriate; promote empowerment and collaboration; and provide actionable and accessible strategies on the what and how of child feeding. Fathers preferred multiformat implementation, which harnesses technology-based design (eg, websites and mobile apps) and gamification. It should be tailored to the child’s age and targeted at fathers using comprehensive promotion strategies.

Conclusions:
Fathers faced barriers to accessing support and information related to parenting and feeding that may not adequately address their needs. Future interventions could integrate the co-designed principles to engage fathers effectively. These findings have implications for health service delivery and policy development, promoting father-inclusive practice.

The role of fathers in feeding is an emerging field within child feeding literature. Fathers have unique contributions to make to family mealtimes and child eating behaviours. However, qualitative research on fathers' experiences is limited, especially in the context of disadvantage. This study explored fathers' perceptions of their roles and feeding practices and their lived experience of disadvantage through a symbolic interactionism lens. Twenty-five Australian fathers of children aged six months to five years who experienced socioeconomic disadvantage participated in semi-structured interviews. Five themes were constructed from reflexive thematic analysis: (i) responsibilities for foodwork are based on strengths, opportunities, and values, (ii) negotiating fatherhood identity from a place of tension to acceptance, (iii) struggling with financial and mental strain, and food insecurity, (iv) managing adversity whist prioritising feeding children, and (v) paternal feeding practices are driven by values, adversity, and emotions. The division of foodwork was contingent on family capability and employment, maternal gatekeeping, paternal attitudes and values, and intergenerational, cultural and gender norms around earning and childrearing. Economic, environmental, and emotional stressors triggered changes to fathers' feeding practices, often contradicting their ideals (e.g., providing alternative meals, using rewards and electronic devices, unstructured settings). Fathers described income and food-based strategies to protect children's food intake, which may involve caregivers forgoing meals. These findings provide insight into fathers' feeding experiences through recognising personal, interpersonal, and systemic enablers and barriers. Promoting optimal feeding practices should include targeted feeding support and broader structural interventions to address inequality. Fathers' experiences as they navigate child mealtime interactions within a context of adversity can be used to inform child feeding interventions to improve child health and development.