Publication
Promoting a healthy diet in preschool children : teachers beliefs, strategies and perceived challenges
| Summary: | Since preschools have an important role in the children's lives, the main purpose of this work was to explore preschool teachers’ views about the promotion of healthy eating habits in preschool children, with two sequential studies. The first study used a quantitative approach to assess cognitive dimensions that can influence preschool teachers’ role in promoting healthy eating habits. The second study used a qualitative approach with a semi-structured interview to explore preschool teachers' perspectives about children's healthy diet and eating behaviors and the role they play in promoting healthy eating patterns. The first study found associations between concerns over the children’s weight and diet, and between responsibility and control. Teachers tended to underestimate children's weight and there were differences between teachers with less and more work experience. In the second study, teachers reported they are concerned about the children’s diet, assumed a higher responsibility about children’s eating habits, more control over classroom activities and mealtimes to influence children’s eating, and less control to influence family feeding routines and practices. Teachers reported the use of classroom activities to educate and promote a healthy diet, as well as the use of feeding practices at mealtimes. Teachers perceived a difference between school and home practices, considering school as a place of positive practices. They identified barriers and facilitators to both school and parents’ role in promoting healthy eating, and parents’ errors that can impact the child’s diet. In conclusion, preschool teachers assume a critical role in influencing the children eating habits. We suggest that future studies explore the role of other preschool staff that can be present at mealtime. We also suggest the availability of more training programs and guidelines for the teachers. |
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| Main Authors: | Lemos, Rosa Brito |
| Subject: | Alimentação infantil Crenças Comportamento alimentar Idade pré-escolar Teses de mestrado - 2020 |
| Year: | 2020 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | master thesis |
| Access type: | restricted access |
| Associated institution: | Universidade de Lisboa |
| Language: | English |
| Origin: | Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa |
| Summary: | Since preschools have an important role in the children's lives, the main purpose of this work was to explore preschool teachers’ views about the promotion of healthy eating habits in preschool children, with two sequential studies. The first study used a quantitative approach to assess cognitive dimensions that can influence preschool teachers’ role in promoting healthy eating habits. The second study used a qualitative approach with a semi-structured interview to explore preschool teachers' perspectives about children's healthy diet and eating behaviors and the role they play in promoting healthy eating patterns. The first study found associations between concerns over the children’s weight and diet, and between responsibility and control. Teachers tended to underestimate children's weight and there were differences between teachers with less and more work experience. In the second study, teachers reported they are concerned about the children’s diet, assumed a higher responsibility about children’s eating habits, more control over classroom activities and mealtimes to influence children’s eating, and less control to influence family feeding routines and practices. Teachers reported the use of classroom activities to educate and promote a healthy diet, as well as the use of feeding practices at mealtimes. Teachers perceived a difference between school and home practices, considering school as a place of positive practices. They identified barriers and facilitators to both school and parents’ role in promoting healthy eating, and parents’ errors that can impact the child’s diet. In conclusion, preschool teachers assume a critical role in influencing the children eating habits. We suggest that future studies explore the role of other preschool staff that can be present at mealtime. We also suggest the availability of more training programs and guidelines for the teachers. |
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