[Exploring Needs, Motivations, and Limitations Towards Healthy Eating and Digital Resources: A Qualitative Study in a Mexican Primary Education Setting]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the needs, motivations, and limitations related to healthy eating and digital materials, as well as to identify patterns for their design as a strategy aimed at Mexican families.

DESIGN

A qualitative observational study of the phenomenon through focus group sessions.

LOCATION

A public primary education center in the city of Querétaro, Mexico.

PARTICIPANTS

Children aged 9 to 11 years and parents, mothers, or caregivers with children in primary education.

METHOD

Twelve sessions were conducted with three groups of students and two sessions with parents, mothers, or caregivers using an interview guide. Various digital materials, developed based on social cognitive theory, were presented during the sessions. The sessions were recorded with the participants' or their guardians' prior consent and transcribed for analysis. Coding was performed for key points of analysis, and information saturation was confirmed.

RESULTS

Students expressed motivation towards digital material that promotes play and experimentation, especially within the family context. The main perceived barrier was the caregivers' resistance to change. Parents expressed motivation and a need for explanatory material on diseases, with economic and time-related barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital material based on social cognitive theory, designed to improve nutrition, can be an effective strategy in nutritional education if it considers the circumstances of the target population. It is advisable to include affective and behavioral elements to achieve meaningful learning within households.