1
|
Morales-Cahuancama B, Verdezoto N, Gonzales-Achuy E, Quispe-Gala C, Bautista-Olortegui W, Hinojosa-Mamani P, Aparco JP. Exploring Children's Knowledge of Healthy Eating, Digital Media Use, and Caregivers' Perspectives to Inform Design and Contextual Considerations for Game-Based Interventions in Schools for Low-Income Families in Lima, Peru: Survey Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e49168. [PMID: 38743472 PMCID: PMC11134240 DOI: 10.2196/49168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren is increasing in Peru. Given the increased use of digital media, there is potential to develop effective digital health interventions to promote healthy eating practices at schools. This study investigates the needs of schoolchildren in relation to healthy eating and the potential role of digital media to inform the design of game-based nutritional interventions. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore schoolchildren's knowledge about healthy eating and use of and preferences for digital media to inform the future development of a serious game to promote healthy eating. METHODS A survey was conducted in 17 schools in metropolitan Lima, Peru. The information was collected virtually with specific questions for the schoolchild and their caregiver during October 2021 and November 2021 and following the COVID-19 public health restrictions. Questions on nutritional knowledge and preferences for and use of digital media were included. In the descriptive analysis, the percentages of the variables of interest were calculated. RESULTS We received 3937 validated responses from caregivers and schoolchildren. The schoolchildren were aged between 8 years and 15 years (2030/3937, 55.8% girls). Of the caregivers, 83% (3267/3937) were mothers, and 56.5% (2223/3937) had a secondary education. Only 5.2% (203/3937) of schoolchildren's homes did not have internet access; such access was through WiFi (2151/3937, 54.6%) and mobile internet (1314/3937, 33.4%). In addition, 95.3% (3753/3937) of schoolchildren's homes had a mobile phone; 31.3% (1233/3937) had computers. In relation to children's knowledge on healthy eating, 42.2% (1663/3937) of schoolchildren did not know the recommendation to consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, 46.7% (1837/3937) of schoolchildren did not identify front-of-package warning labels (FOPWLs), and 63.9% (2514/3937) did not relate the presence of an FOPWL with dietary risk. Most schoolchildren (3100/3937, 78.7%) preferred to use a mobile phone. Only 38.3% (1509/3937) indicated they preferred a computer. In addition, 47.9% (1885/3937) of caregivers considered that the internet helps in the education of schoolchildren, 82.7% (3254/3937) of caregivers gave permission for schoolchildren to play games with digital devices, and 38% (1495/3937) of caregivers considered that traditional digital games for children are inadequate. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that knowledge about nutrition in Peruvian schoolchildren has limitations. Most schoolchildren have access to the internet, with mobile phones being the device type with the greatest availability and preference for use. Caregivers' perspectives on games and schoolchildren, including a greater interest in using digital games, provide opportunities for the design and development of serious games to improve schoolchildren's nutritional knowledge in Peru. Future research is needed to explore the potential of serious games that are tailored to the needs and preferences of both schoolchildren and their caregivers in Peru in order to promote healthy eating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bladimir Morales-Cahuancama
- Centro Nacional de Alimentación, Nutrición y Vida Saludable, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru
- Programa Académico de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de ciencias de la salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
| | - Nervo Verdezoto
- School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Gonzales-Achuy
- Centro Nacional de Alimentación, Nutrición y Vida Saludable, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru
| | - Cinthia Quispe-Gala
- Centro Nacional de Alimentación, Nutrición y Vida Saludable, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Paul Hinojosa-Mamani
- Centro Nacional de Alimentación, Nutrición y Vida Saludable, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan Pablo Aparco
- Centro Nacional de Alimentación, Nutrición y Vida Saludable, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru
- Escuela Profesional de Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Czarniecka-Skubina E, Hamulka J, Gutkowska K. How Can We Increase the Nutrition-Related Knowledge in Children Aged 7-12 Years: Results of Focus Groups Interviews with Parents-Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project. Nutrients 2023; 16:129. [PMID: 38201959 PMCID: PMC10780913 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Nutrition education is a long-term process that should cover various population groups. A special focus should be placed on children, adolescents and their parents. The aim of this research was to find out the opinions of parents of primary school pupils aged 7-12 on their expectations towards school education in the areas of food and nutrition, addressed to both pupils and their parents. The research was conducted among 101 parents of primary school pupils with the use of the Focus Group Interview (FGI) method. It demonstrated that what is most needed are hands-on activities relating to basic theoretical issues. While parents see the need for nutrition education for their children, educating pupils in this area is of interest to only some of the respondents for whom nutrition aspects are quite important. All parents would like formal nutrition education at school, but at the same time, they do not want classes to take up too much of their children's time, due to the already excessive number of school subjects. It seems appropriate to include everyone in regard to nutrition education, regardless of their declared interest in this issue. The need for consistent presentation of educational content addressed to teachers and parents is very important, so that they can, in a uniform way, shape the attitudes towards food and nutrition of children and adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina
- Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Jadwiga Hamulka
- Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krystyna Gutkowska
- Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gutkowska K, Hamułka J, Czarniecka-Skubina E. The Attitudes of 7-9 Year Old Primary School Students towards Food and Nutrition: Insights from Qualitative FGI Research-The Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project. Nutrients 2023; 15:4732. [PMID: 38004126 PMCID: PMC10674932 DOI: 10.3390/nu15224732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimal nutrition is one of the most significant environmental factors affecting human health. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of primary school students aged 7-9 towards nutrition considering three fundamental components: knowledge, emotional disposition, and dietary behaviors. The research was conducted using the Focus Group Interview (FGI) technique among 78 children. Considering their attitudes towards food and nutrition, four profiles were identified: "engaged", "obedient", "reluctant", and "indifferent". Children who were "engaged" and "obedient" due to their parents' involvement in creating their dietary attitudes exhibited the most alignment with the principles of optimal nutrition. Regardless of profile type, it was observed that children were familiar with recommended and unrecommended food products, as well as the role of water in proper nutrition. It was demonstrated that parents wield the most substantial influence on children's nutrition. As a result, initiatives promoting the proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle should commence with parents. Children of nutritionally conscious parents tend to eat more healthily and demonstrate a high nutritional awareness. Conversely, the children of busy parents who lack time for meal preparation more frequently replicate their parents' nutritional mistakes. These findings emphasize the importance of the family environment in shaping the dietary behaviors of children and youth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Gutkowska
- Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Jadwiga Hamułka
- Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina
- Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lucha-López MO, Hidalgo-García C, Lucha-López AC, Monti-Ballano S, Márquez-Gonzalvo S, Ferrández-Laliena L, Tricás-Vidal HJ, Tricás-Moreno JM. Determinants of Consumption of Vegetables among the Spanish Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Foods 2023; 12:4030. [PMID: 37959149 PMCID: PMC10648819 DOI: 10.3390/foods12214030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The consumption of vegetables is one of the fundamentals of a healthy diet. The purposes of the present study were to describe the frequency of consumption of vegetables in the general Spanish population and to explore the relations between the consumption of vegetables and sex, age, cohabitation circumstances, educational level, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS An analytical cross-sectional study was accomplished based on data from the European Health Survey in Spain (2020). RESULTS A total of 20,745 (52.1% women) subjects with a median age of 54 years old were included. Only 2.8% of them ate vegetables at least three times a day. The adjusted generalized linear model showed that being a woman increased the odds of consuming vegetables at least three times a day by 1.666 times (p < 0.001). Not cohabiting as a couple decreased the odds by 0.783 (p < 0.001). Having studied at a university increased the odds by 1.812 times (p < 0.001) and possessing a certificate of higher education by 1.408 (p = 0.030). Being overweight decreased the odds by 0.924 (p = 0.006). For every additional year of age, the odds of consuming vegetables at least three times a day increased by 1.3% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The vast majority of the general Spanish population did not consume an optimal amount of vegetables. Women, people with higher levels of education, and older individuals reported having a more frequent intake of vegetables. Not cohabiting as a couple and being overweight were related to a less frequent intake of vegetables.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Orosia Lucha-López
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Spin off Centro Clínico OMT-E Fisioterapia SLP, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.L.-L.); (S.M.-B.); (S.M.-G.); (L.F.-L.); (H.J.T.-V.); (J.M.T.-M.)
| | - César Hidalgo-García
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Spin off Centro Clínico OMT-E Fisioterapia SLP, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.L.-L.); (S.M.-B.); (S.M.-G.); (L.F.-L.); (H.J.T.-V.); (J.M.T.-M.)
| | - Ana Carmen Lucha-López
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sofía Monti-Ballano
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Spin off Centro Clínico OMT-E Fisioterapia SLP, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.L.-L.); (S.M.-B.); (S.M.-G.); (L.F.-L.); (H.J.T.-V.); (J.M.T.-M.)
| | - Sergio Márquez-Gonzalvo
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Spin off Centro Clínico OMT-E Fisioterapia SLP, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.L.-L.); (S.M.-B.); (S.M.-G.); (L.F.-L.); (H.J.T.-V.); (J.M.T.-M.)
| | - Loreto Ferrández-Laliena
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Spin off Centro Clínico OMT-E Fisioterapia SLP, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.L.-L.); (S.M.-B.); (S.M.-G.); (L.F.-L.); (H.J.T.-V.); (J.M.T.-M.)
| | - Héctor José Tricás-Vidal
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Spin off Centro Clínico OMT-E Fisioterapia SLP, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.L.-L.); (S.M.-B.); (S.M.-G.); (L.F.-L.); (H.J.T.-V.); (J.M.T.-M.)
| | - José Miguel Tricás-Moreno
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Spin off Centro Clínico OMT-E Fisioterapia SLP, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.L.-L.); (S.M.-B.); (S.M.-G.); (L.F.-L.); (H.J.T.-V.); (J.M.T.-M.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Qi Y, Rong S, Liao K, Huo J, Lin Q, Hamzah SH. School Gardening, Cooking and Sports Participation Intervention to Improve Fruits and Vegetables Intake and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity among Chinese Children: Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14096. [PMID: 36360973 PMCID: PMC9656511 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children has become a global public health problem. Therefore, school-based gardening and cooking (SGC) and sports participation (SP) interventions may be effective in improving children's FV intake and MVPA. The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of SGC and SP interventions on FV intake and MVPA among Chinese children. In this cluster randomized controlled trial study, 237 children in grades 4-5 from six public primary schools from Changsha, Hunan Province, China will be randomly assigned to: (1) a SGC and SP combined intervention group; (2) a SP intervention group; (3) a regular practice group. The intervention clusters will be implemented for a period of 6 months and follow up will be carried out after 12 months. The outcome will be collected using a combination of self-reported and objective measures. Primary outcomes will include children's FV intake and duration of MVPA per day, and secondary outcomes will included frequency and attitudes of FV intake and SP, in addition to other measures. Finally, a process evaluation will be used to analyze the facilitators and barriers to intervention implementation. Trial Registration: (Registration Number: ChiCTR2200064141).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Qi
- Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Department of Physical Education and Research, Central South University, 932 Lushan south Rd., Changsha 410083, China
| | - Siyu Rong
- Department of Physical Education and Research, Central South University, 932 Lushan south Rd., Changsha 410083, China
| | - Kunlong Liao
- Zhangshumen Primary School, Halfway Street, Taohualing Village, Changsha 430100, China
| | - Jiaqi Huo
- Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Rd., Changsha 410078, China
| | - Qian Lin
- Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Rd., Changsha 410078, China
| | - Sareena Hanim Hamzah
- Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|