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Ashford University *
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Course
603
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by JusticeFreedomFalcon9800
Article Review
Mario Mendoza
University of Arizona Global Campus
MPH603 Applied Behavioral Science (MPE2347A)
Instructor Brittany Chatman
October 27, 2023
Article Review
Introduction
Childhood obesity is a significant issue in this country, and parents play an essential role
in educating their children. This study was conducted on 16 low-income families living in urban
areas to determine the importance of parental interaction and barriers to good nutrition. In the
study, researchers used Social Learning Theory (SLT) to evaluate how the children reacted to
their parents' modeling behavior. Regardless of how good the parent's modeling was, two
significant obstacles are the child's pickiness and the easy availability of junk food.
Chosen Theory & Constructs
The theory used in this study was SCT, which Albert Bandura developed. Bandura's
theory suggests we learn from direct experience and by observing others. The hypothesis also
explains that a person's thoughts about themselves influence what is known. The idea means that
"shaping behavior" should come in punishments or rewards that reinforce or deter behavior.
The
shaping behavior can be experienced directly or witnessed in others.
Define the constructs.
The primary constructs of this study are the hypothesis, methodology, focus group
selection, research questions, and the results. The hypothesis stated that improving the methods
to reach and communicate with parents on proper nutrition will ultimately filter down to the
children. The methodology for the study used focus groups to collect data. The focus groups
were selected with a purposeful sample of two schools traditionally underserved for kids ages 6-
14. The participants had to have at least one child go to the school, the parent must live with the
child, and the parent must be able to communicate verbally with the child in English or Spanish.
The focus groups were given 12 open-ended questions based on personal constructs and
behavior mediators. Once the answers were given, the researchers used in-vivo coding to record
the data. The in-vivo coding was recorded using the participants' language to describe their
experiences, opinions, perspectives, or thoughts. The script was broken down into two parts: the
home environment and the communication methods.
The results showed three significant findings that Bandura's SLT supported. The data
showed that getting kids to eat healthy is still challenging; parents are not modeling healthy
eating habits. The main challenge to the parents providing healthy meals was the child's
pickiness. To further complicate matters, researchers also discovered that easy access to fast food
was the main obstacle to feeding children nutritious meals. The second finding showed that
parents felt it necessary to model healthy eating habits to their children and introduce fruits and
vegetables as soon as possible. The younger the children are introduced to fruits and vegetables,
the more likely they will have a healthier diet. Lastly, the data showed that the degree of
acculturation for immigrant families will determine the types of snacks children eat. Latin
Immigrants would give their children regular meals but in smaller portions. Children born in the
United States associate snacks with highly processed foods like potato chips, carbonated
beverages, or candy.
Relationship Between Constructs Behavior
The parents met with researchers in the study to answer twelve questions that measured
SLT constructs.
The questions targeted social support, modeling, behavioral capacity,
competence, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, barriers, or attitudes. Researchers are looking
to use SLT to influence the child's environment through the parent's behavior and modeling of
positive eating habits.
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Article Summary
In this article, researchers concerned with childhood obesity want to use SLT to help
educate parents and ultimately influence children to have good eating habits. The researchers
selected 20 families to participate in the study, but four families did not finish for various
reasons.
Researchers used four focus groups, two in English and two in Spanish, with twelve
open-ended questions with follow-ups. The data showed that parents believe they play an
essential role in modeling good behavior for children, especially with good nutrition. Ultimately,
the study showed that the main obstacle to good nutrition is the child's pickiness and the easy
availability of fast food. Lastly, researchers discovered that the family's level of acculturation
will determine what parents view as a good snack. Children born in the U.S. will see potato
chips, candy, or other processed foods as a snack. Immigrants with low levels of acculturation
will be given regular meals but in smaller portions.
Theory in The Research
The researchers used SLT to develop the questions used for the focus groups developed
by Albert Bandura. In his theory, Bandura stated that humans learn from experience and by
observing others. Additionally, SLT says how someone feels about themselves affects how
people learn. The last part of the theory states that behavior is reinforced with rewards or
punishments. The shaping behavior can be learned from direct experience or watching it in
others.
The research questions were written with open-ended questions designed to gather
information from the behavioral, personal, and environmental constructs of SLT. The questions
targeted the children's social support, the parent's modeling, their social support, and all the
targets in SLT.
Thoughts & Opinions
In this study, the authors did an excellent job of phrasing the questions to show the
tenants and constructs of SLT. Bandura was very insightful in showing how children learn and
how we can have a positive impact as parents, teachers, or educators. I think the main weakness
of this study was that it was self-reporting and just a snapshot in time. A better study would have
followed children over multiple years and the families' availability of healthy food.
Future Implications
Future studies should look at what people have learned, how it was reinforced, how it
was modeled, and show how a negative behavior can be changed. Additionally, SLT is more
effective when combined with other theories to develop a more holistic approach to
understanding human behavior. Regarding public health issues, SLT should aim to influence and
change negative behavior to improve public health. This theory can also shape public perceptions
and teach healthy behavior. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials frequently
communicated ways to stay healthy, the dangers of attending mass gatherings, and what to do if
they did contract the virus.
Conclusion
The problem of obesity in America is a growing concern as each generation continues to
deal with chronic diseases due to excessive weight. Albert Bandura's social learning theory was
instrumental in discovering insights into modeling good behavior and the challenges of providing
healthy meals to growing children in this research. The data collected from the focus groups
showed that parents can model good nutritional habits, but ultimately, the child's pickiness might
derail a parent's efforts.
Lastly, using SLT, the researchers could write research questions using
all of the tenets of Bandura's theory.
References
DiClemente, R., Salazar, L., & Crosby, R. (2019).
Health behavior theory for public health:
Principles, foundations, and applications
(2nd. ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Luesse, H., Paul, R., Gray, H., Koch, P., Contento, I., & Marsick, V. (2018). Challenges and
facilitators to promoting a healthy food environment and communicating effectively with
parents to improve food behaviors of school children.
Maternal & Child Health
Journal
,
22
(7), 958–967. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2472-7
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