RESUMO

Chile, like many other countries in the world, is experiencing a high prevalence of childhood overweight. Among the factors influencing children's eating behaviors are the food parenting practices promoted by community organizations. More information is needed on the influences of these recommendations on the parenting practices of parents of preschoolers. This study examined what types of food parenting practices are promoted in childcare and primary healthcare centers and how these recommendations influence subsequent parental behavior. Interviews using photo-elicitation were conducted with 25 parents of Chilean preschoolers. The interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Five themes were identified to describe food parenting practices promoted by community organizations and the influences that these practices had on parents of preschoolers. Healthcare centers were found to educate parents and provided a structured feeding. However, parents found their advice regarding dietary restriction challenging to follow. Childcare centers also provided information about healthy diet, food monitoring, and diversifying the child's diet in a way that was perceived as adequate. While childcare centers encouraged structured and autonomous food parenting practices in a positive and supportive manner, healthcare centers tended to provide more restrictive guidance that posed challenges for parents struggling with preschool nutritional care.

RESUMO

RESUMO Buscou-se investigar o impacto da creche na interação mãe-criança e no desenvolvimento infantil nos dois primeiros anos de vida da criança. Participaram 44 crianças (M= 6,4 meses; DP= 1,6) e suas mães (M= 34,1 anos; DP= 5,2), divididas em dois grupos: Grupo Creche (21 crianças que frequentavam a creche) e Grupo Não Creche (23 que não frequentavam). Avaliou-se o desenvolvimento aos 6, 12 e 18 meses da criança e a interação mãe-criança aos 12 e 18 meses. Os resultados revelaram que a frequência à creche não interferiu na qualidade da interação mãe-criança e não diferenciou os grupos quanto ao desenvolvimento infantil (cognitivo, linguagem, socioemocional), indicando que famílias de classes média e alta e creches com qualidade suficiente podem se igualar em seus eventuais benefícios.

Abstract The present study investigated the impact of childcare centers on mother-child interaction and on child development in the first two years of a child's life. The study was comprised of 44 children (M=6.4months, SD=1.6) and their mothers (M=34.1years, SD=5.2) divided into two groups: Childcare Center Group (N=21) and Non-Childcare Center Group (N=23). The infant development was evaluated at 6, 12 and 18 months and mother-child interaction was assessed at the 12th and 18th months. The results revealed that childcare centers did not affect the quality of mother-child interaction and did not set apart the groups in relation to child development (cognitive, language, socioemotional), indicating that middle and upper class families and qualified childcare centers can be equally beneficial.