Migrant mothers in unstable environments balancing healthy life styles and parenting responsiveness

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Abstract

Overweight is an increasing problem among children in the Western World. International research points to an overrepresentation among children in migrant families of non-western origin, and the importance of early interventions and focus on overweight toddlers. Key concepts are parenting style and -practice. This paper investigates the promotion of healthy life styles in migrant families, living in insecure or uncertain situations in Denmark. It will describe the logics, rationalities and difficulties of migrant mothers, who want to promote a healthy life style in their families, and will question the notion of a universal, adequate parenting style and practice.

The paper will address the overall question of how migrant mothers deal with health related concerns for their children, while living in precarious conditions. The following themes will be explored in the presentation: “Appropriate parenting” as presented by health care professionals working with childhood weight interventions; the everyday life of vulnerable migrant families; the balance between attempts to promote a healthy life style and other needs and concerns in the family; the link between family conditions, unstable environments and the promotion of healthy life styles.

This paper is based on a qualitative study exploring parenting styles and everyday health practices in families with non-Western ethnic minority background. A grounded theory approach is adopted in the explorative study, which is based on observations and qualitative semi-structured interviews with Danish health care professionals and families with migrant/refugee background who are dealing with weight problems.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date19 Sep 2014
Publication statusPublished - 19 Sep 2014
EventInternational Conference: Migrant Mothers Caring for the Future - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 18 Sep 201419 Sep 2014

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference: Migrant Mothers Caring for the Future
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period18/09/201419/09/2014

Keywords

  • Obesity
  • Diet and health habits
  • Child nutrition

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