Shared Patterns of Daily Occupations among Parents of Children Aged 4–6 Years Old with Obesity

Abstract

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing and is associated with how families manage their daily occupations. Previous studies suggest that it should be possible to identify patterns of daily occupations that promote health and prevent illness. However, it is unknown how family members' patterns are shared. This study aimed at gaining knowledge about parents' shared patterns of daily occupations. Thirty parents enrolled in a randomized controlled trial involving parents of children aged 4–6 years old with obesity, were included. The study used a mixed methods design. Data from time-geographical diaries describing daily occupations on one ordinary weekday were collected. A sequential exploratory strategy design was used, with qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Four main groups of family types were identified: the togetherness focused family, the child focused family, the individual focused family and the parent-child focused family. These groups' shared patterns of daily occupations differed in terms of divisions of household work, paid work and the amount of time spent together as a family. The results highlight and generate a new understanding of how parents' shared patterns of daily occupations are shaped in families.

Keywords:

• Occupational patterns
• Childhood obesity
• Time-geographical method
• Family life

Acknowledgements

We thank the parents who shared their diaries during the data collection and who thereby made this study possible. We are grateful to Anna-Karin Edberg for her valuable comments in the manuscript and to the Swedish Institute for Health Sciences, Lund University for financial support.