Statement of Problem

At mealtime, families nationwide face the conflicting priorities of time, taste, cost, and nutrition, and they often make decisions that undervalue nutrition. More than two in three U.S. adults are now considered to be overweight or obese, along with nearly one in three children. But obesity prevention interventions are not one-size-fits-all. In a national study, low-income families were found to be more likely to cook dinner six or seven nights per week compared to their middle- and high-income peers. However, low-income families are also more likely to experience food insecurity and lack of access to healthy foods. Low-income families need targeted intervention and prevention efforts to address the food insecurity and lack of access issues that often get in the way of healthy eating at home. By providing these family-centered programs to parents, we can foster healthy eating at home and improve the health of the children we see in our practices.