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Mealtimes and feeding practices are shaped by culture and have long-term implications for social and emotional wellbeing. To date, there has been little research in Australia that has focused on First Nations families' feeding practices and mealtimes. This co-designed study aimed to explore First Nations' families feeding practices through yarning circles with workers (n = 14) at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organization. Most workers (79%) were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and all worked directly with First Nations families. Using thematic analysis, four themes were inductively identified from the yarns: the importance of childhood experiences, history, and intergenerational knowledges; mealtimes as a point of connection and wellbeing; the impact of structural barriers on feeding practices; and the important roles of First Nations workers supporting families with feeding difficulties. Workers described how First Nations families' feeding practices and mealtimes are informed by cultural values and knowledge that have been passed down through generations. Yet throughout the yarns, participants highlighted the impact of historical and current structural factors (e.g., cost of living, child removal, housing) that affect families' ability to engage in feeding practices that align with their beliefs and culture. Workers described several strengths-based approaches they use to support families, including community-led mealtime groups, liaising with mainstream health services, and providing a respectful space. We propose that the Social and Emotional Wellbeing model is a holistic strengths-based resource for workers to conceptualize First Nations families' strengths, values, and challenges in relation to feeding and mealtimes. More co-designed research including the perspectives of First Nations families is needed to better understand healthy and culturally aligned feeding and mealtime practices., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The paternal experience of family mealtimes is an emerging field within qualitative literature. Previous quantitative studies suggest that differences exist between fathers' and mothers' mealtime behaviours, particularly in response to fussy eating. However, qualitative research has not yet focused exclusively on fathers' fussy eating experiences. This metasynthesis aimed to provide insights into the general paternal experience, inclusive of their fussy eating responses. Thematic synthesis methodology was adopted to achieve this process and consisted of a systematic search resulting in the inclusion of 16 studies (18 papers). The direct quotations presented within each study were subjected to three stages of analysis to produce three analytical themes, supported by eight descriptive themes. The analytical themes presented were: (1) environmental influences on fathers' mealtime experiences; (2) attitudes and emotions of fathers during mealtimes; and (3) observable behaviours of fathers during mealtimes. These themes highlighted the complexity of the mealtime experience from a paternal perspective. Multidirectional relationships were identified between each mealtime component (i.e., the environment, attitudes, emotions and behaviours) as evidenced by the paternal commentary presented. The findings also provided insights into fathers' fussy eating experiences, recognising that fathers should be considered as individuals in the presence of mealtime intervention.

The health benefits and importance of family mealtimes have been extensively documented. Picky eating can impact this complex activity and has numerous extrinsic (or external) and intrinsic (or internal) features. Occupational therapists work with children and their families by looking at both intrinsic and extrinsic influences and are therefore well-placed to work within this context. This scoping review comprises a comprehensive search of key health industry databases using pre-determined search terms. A robust screening process took place using the authors pre-agreed inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 80 studies that met the inclusion criteria, which were then mapped using content analysis. The most common assessments used to identify picky eating relied on parental reports and recall. Often additional assessments were included in studies to identify both the intrinsic and extrinsic features and presentation. The most common reported intrinsic features of the child who is a picky eater included increased sensitivity particularly to taste and smell and the child's personality. Extrinsic features which appear to increase the likelihood of picky eating are authoritarian parenting, rewards for eating, and pressuring the child to eat. Most commonly reported extrinsic features that decrease the likelihood of picky eating are family meals, responsive parents, and involving the child in the preparation of food. In conclusion, there is a lack of published papers addressing the role of occupational therapists in the assessment and identification of picky eating in children. There appears to be a complex interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic features which impact caregiver responses and therefore on the picky eater.