Dietary habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children of urban employed mothers in Bangladesh

Oral Presentation A5.2

Authors

  • Sabiha Afrin University of Southern Queensland
  • Amy Mullens University of Southern Queensland
  • Stuart J. H. Biddle University of Southern Queensland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.394

Keywords:

Children and Adolescent, Dietary Patterns, Maternal Employment, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour

Abstract

Backgrounds: There is an absence of information about the associations between maternal employment and children's dietary patterns (DP), physical activity (PA), and sedentary behaviour (SB) in the context of low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC). Purpose: To explore the DP, PA, and SB of children and adolescents (6-18 years) of mothers differing in employment status within Bangladeshi urban families. Methods: A qualitative design and purposive snowball sampling were used. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 22 employed and not employed mothers. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clark’s thematic analysis. A combination of inductive and deductive techniques was used to generate codes. Results: The interviews identified 5 major themes. Breakfast skipping, eating instant and non-homemade food is common for the children of employed mothers. Mothers, regardless of employment status, reported challenges in encouraging children to eat vegetables. The scope of PA is limited due to environmental facilities. Employed mothers discourage adolescent girls to play outside due to insecurity as well as socio-cultural reasons. Children use screen-based devices mainly for online classes, watching movies/cartoons, and playing games. Children use devices more often when the mother is at work and sometimes employed mothers allow extra time on smartphones/tablets on weekends to keep their children occupied. Conclusion: Differences in DP, PA and SB are found between children of employed and not employed mothers. Gender differences are evident in the participation of PA. These results may guide future quantitative research to address the problems experienced by working mothers in urban areas of LMICs. Funding: This research did not receive any financial support from any organization.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Afrin, S., Mullens, A., & Biddle, S. J. H. . (2021). Dietary habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children of urban employed mothers in Bangladesh: Oral Presentation A5.2. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.394