Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Objective This qualitative research study investigates perspectives on the influence of mealtime screen exposure (MTSE) on feeding practices in children through semi-structured interviews with paediatricians and speech-language pathologists (SLPs).Design This study used a constructivist paradigm and...

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Main Authors: Krupa Venkatraman, Nathira Fathima, Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-12-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e087904.full
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author Krupa Venkatraman
Nathira Fathima
Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan
author_facet Krupa Venkatraman
Nathira Fathima
Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan
author_sort Krupa Venkatraman
collection DOAJ
description Objective This qualitative research study investigates perspectives on the influence of mealtime screen exposure (MTSE) on feeding practices in children through semi-structured interviews with paediatricians and speech-language pathologists (SLPs).Design This study used a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative research approach, employing thematic analysis, to understand the research objectives from the lens of practitioners. The researchers used transcripts from semistructured interviews to generate themes.Setting This was a multisite, in situ research study conducted in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, private clinics and educational institutions in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, between March and April 2023.Participants 24 participants, 12 SLPs and 12 paediatricians, were interviewed. The researchers selected these participants purposively based on their expertise and experience in dealing with children’s feeding practice-related disorders.Results The study identified six themes: limited awareness of MTSE’s effects, cultural expectations on mothers, screen dependency, sensory deprivation, fragile caregiver–child bonding and picky eating tendencies. Key findings reflect a lack of caregiver awareness, sociocultural pressures and the negative developmental impacts of MTSE on children’s feeding practices.Conclusions This study highlights the need for increased awareness among primary caregivers and healthcare professionals regarding the risks of prolonged MTSE. Both paediatricians and SLPs unanimously agree that MTSE can adversely affect feeding practices.
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spelling doaj-art-3134f9b14b0443aaae253f8a012fcfe02025-08-20T02:49:36ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-12-01141210.1136/bmjopen-2024-087904Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil NaduKrupa Venkatraman0Nathira Fathima1Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan22 Department of Speech Language Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, India1 Department of Speech Language Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India3 T A Pai Management Institute Bengaluru, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru, Karnataka, IndiaObjective This qualitative research study investigates perspectives on the influence of mealtime screen exposure (MTSE) on feeding practices in children through semi-structured interviews with paediatricians and speech-language pathologists (SLPs).Design This study used a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative research approach, employing thematic analysis, to understand the research objectives from the lens of practitioners. The researchers used transcripts from semistructured interviews to generate themes.Setting This was a multisite, in situ research study conducted in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, private clinics and educational institutions in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, between March and April 2023.Participants 24 participants, 12 SLPs and 12 paediatricians, were interviewed. The researchers selected these participants purposively based on their expertise and experience in dealing with children’s feeding practice-related disorders.Results The study identified six themes: limited awareness of MTSE’s effects, cultural expectations on mothers, screen dependency, sensory deprivation, fragile caregiver–child bonding and picky eating tendencies. Key findings reflect a lack of caregiver awareness, sociocultural pressures and the negative developmental impacts of MTSE on children’s feeding practices.Conclusions This study highlights the need for increased awareness among primary caregivers and healthcare professionals regarding the risks of prolonged MTSE. Both paediatricians and SLPs unanimously agree that MTSE can adversely affect feeding practices.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e087904.full
spellingShingle Krupa Venkatraman
Nathira Fathima
Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan
Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
BMJ Open
title Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
title_full Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
title_fullStr Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
title_full_unstemmed Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
title_short Qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children’s feeding practices: perspectives from paediatricians and speech-language pathologists in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
title_sort qualitative study on the influence of mealtime screen exposure on children s feeding practices perspectives from paediatricians and speech language pathologists in chennai tamil nadu
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e087904.full
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