JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Fathers play a pivotal role in parenting and feeding, significantly impacting children's nutrition and development. However, they remain underrepresented in parenting and child nutrition intervention studies, particularly those living with disadvantage. This disparity often stems from structural barriers such as conflicting work schedules and limited resources. 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:

To explore fathers’ experience, perceived enablers and barriers in accessing parenting and feeding support and child nutrition information and to co-design principles for tailoring child nutrition interventions to engage fathers.

Methods:

Australian fathers of children aged six months to five years with lived experience of disadvantage were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews and co-design workshops. Both studies were primarily completed digitally via videoconference (96% interviews; 100% workshops). Creative analogies were utilised to guide ideation process in the workshops.

Results:

Twenty-five interviews and three workshops (n=10) were conducted. Data analysis was conducted using reflexive thematic analysis and employing the COM-B model. The interview data illuminated factors influencing fathers’ initiation of support access and their experiences when seeking support. It highlighted fathers’ diverse information needs, including an inclusive environment and encouragement. Enablers and barriers were identified at the individual (e.g., personal goals to acquire specific nutrition knowledge, resource constraints), interpersonal (family support, false beliefs about men’s caregiving role), organisational (inadequate fathering support) and systemic levels (father-inclusive practice and policy). The remote and digital format of the data collection methods enabled fathers’ participation Australia-wide, overcoming work and capacity barriers. Videoconferencing technology was an effective tool for facilitating the co-design workshops 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 centred, culturally appropriate, promoting empowerment and collaboration, and providing actionable and accessible strategies on the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of child feeding. Fathers preferred multiformat implementation, which harnesses technology-based design (websites, mobile applications, online chat groups hosted by social media platforms) and gamification. It should be tailored to the child's age and targeted at fathers utilising comprehensive and creditable promotion strategies.

Conclusions:

Fathers faced significant barriers in accessing parenting and feeding supports and resources that may not adequately address their needs. Leveraging co-design and lived experience expertise, future interventions aiming to effectively engage fathers could integrate the co-designed principles in their planning and delivery. These findings also carry implications for health service delivery and policy development, promoting father-inclusive practice.