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

Kia Ditlevsen

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 language	English
Publication date	19 Sept 2014
Publication status	Published - 19 Sept 2014
Event	International Conference: Migrant Mothers Caring for the Future - London, United Kingdom Duration: 18 Sept 2014 → 19 Sept 2014

Conference

Conference	International Conference: Migrant Mothers Caring for the Future
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	London
Period	18/09/2014 → 19/09/2014

Keywords

Obesity
Diet and health habits
Child nutrition

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

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title = "Migrant mothers in unstable environments balancing healthy life styles and parenting responsiveness",

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.",

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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