Exploring barriers and facilitators to feeding children with minimal or no "Junk Food": Insights from Mexican women

Objective: This study aims to investigate the factors that promote or hinder the feeding of children with minimal or no ultra-processed products to inform the design of an mHealth strategy in Mexico and prevent child malnutrition among the economically vulnerable.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted, involving 24 in-depth face-to-face interviews with caregivers of children aged 24-59 months from both urban and rural communities. To analyze the data, we used thematic analysis and incorporated a few elements of grounded theory.

Results: More barriers than facilitators were identified. Key barriers included: misconceptions and the widespread availability of junk food through an extensive network of grocery stores; neighbors and family gifting junk food; the association of soda with celebrations; the practice of indulging children with junk food; and the normalization of junk food consumption by both adults and children. Facilitators included: caregivers' awareness of the health risks associated with junk food; economic constraints limiting junk food purchases; support from husbands in regulating children's junk food consumption; the presence of a family member with diabetes; specific cultural beliefs about children's digestive health; as well as displacement of "healthy" foods that nourish children.

Conclusion: Based on our findings, we formulated recommendations for interventions at intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy levels to support healthier feeding practices for children.