ASSESSMENT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN’S DIET QUALITY BY THEIR PARENTS AND / OR GUARDIANS

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the evaluation of parents/guardians of the diet quality of children enrolled in 1st to 5th school year, and its association with socioeconomic and demographic variables, and behaviors related to children’s and parents’ health. The cross-sectional study included students from the city of Itajaí, Santa Catarina, between June and August 2011. The socioeconomic profile, health-related habits and eating behavior were assessed by a structured questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We evaluated 523 children (89.9%) with mean age 8.5 years (+1.52 years). Among guardians, 19.3% (95% CI 15.93, 22.8) evaluated the quality of schoolchildren diet as negative. In children whose diet was perceived as better, we observed a higher frequency of breakfast meals (6.1 versus 5.2 days, p <0.001), and a greater number of daily meals (5.5 versus 5.04, p = 0.027 (95% CI: 4.72, 5.37). After adjusted analysis, having regular meals in front of TV, consumption of fruits and vegetables, presence of constipation, use of medication and unfavorable evaluation of children’s health by parents/guardians, remained associated with a more negative perception of the diet by parents/guardians. This study characterized parents’ perception about their children’s diet as better when it included more vegetables (healthy food) and more meals a day, associated with a better evaluation of children’s health.