Disrupted Relationships, Chaos, and Altered Family Meals in Food-Insecure Households: Experiences of Caregivers and Children

Background Regular family meals foster healthy physical and social development of children but often occur less frequently in households experiencing food insecurity. How food insecurity influences the quality of these interactions is not understood well. Objective To better understand family meal experiences of caregivers and children living in food-insecure households. Design A qualitative method with cross-sectional sample was used, collecting data using semistructured interview guides. Participants Twenty ethnically diverse caregiver-child (aged 9 to 15 years) dyads in South Carolina were interviewed. Statistical analysis Data were analyzed using grounded theory in Nvivo 10. Results Food-insecure households described family meals that varied in frequency, location, and quality of foods served, especially during times of food shortages. Interpersonal relationships drove the quality of mealtime interactions for these households. Household chaos not only influenced the frequency and location of meals, but also strained mealtime interactions in households with poor interpersonal relationships. In these homes, household chaos included conflicts with work and afterschool schedules, food shortages, coping with poverty and food insecurity (eg, working extra hours or seeking food assistance), and children visiting multiple homes, particularly when food was limited. All households experienced chaos, but strong interpersonal relationships were described as the primary reason for enjoyable mealtime experiences with few disruptions. Conclusions Exploring family meal experiences of children in food-insecure households highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships and regular, positive mealtime interactions that may strengthen emotional connections in families to improve child health outcomes.