Parents’ Insights on a Summer Obesity Prevention Intervention at SUN Meals Program Sites for Elementary School-Aged Children

Background: One potential strategy to prevent unhealthy summer weight gain in children is to integrate obesity prevention interventions into the SUN Meals program, where free meals are offered to children from low-income households. The current study gathered insights from parents to (1) identify children’s weight-related health behaviors that need support during the summer, (2) examine potential intervention activities and their relevant barriers and facilitators, and (3) describe the preferred logistics of a summer obesity prevention intervention. Methods: Two rounds of focus groups were conducted virtually between February and April 2025. Participants (n = 26) were parents of elementary school-aged children from low-income families. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic content analysis. Results: The top five weight-related health behaviors parents identified as priorities for their children were (1) increasing fruit and vegetable intake, (2) getting sufficient sleep, (3) limiting screen time, (4) increasing physical activity, and (5) reducing added sugar intake. Most parents supported a weekly, half-day intervention at the SUN Meals program sites for elementary school-aged children. Activities deemed important included providing engaging nutrition education related to the food served; helping families establish bedtime routines and screen time agreements; and offering physical activities at the program sites. Parents also suggested low- or no-cost half-day programming on-site, complemented by take-home packets and additional follow-ups between sessions to reinforce intervention content at home. Conclusions: Parents supported the proposed structured summer obesity prevention intervention at SUN Meals program sites, noting its benefits for families’ weight-related health behaviors and offering practical logistical suggestions.