Carola Ray1, Suvi Määttä2, Reetta Lehto3, Gun Roos4, Eva Roos5. 1. Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliusgatan 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: carola.ray@folkhalsan.fi. 2. Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliusgatan 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: suvi.maatta@folkhalsan.fi. 3. Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliusgatan 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: retta.lehto@folkhalsan.fi. 4. Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Consumption Research Norway SIFO, P.O. Box 4 St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: gun.roos@sifo.hioa.no. 5. Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliusgatan 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Mannerheimintie 172, 00300 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: eva.roos@folkhalsan.fi.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: A large proportion of young children spend most of their weekdays at preschool in Western countries. In Finland, three meals are included in a full day at preschool. These meals have the potential to promote healthy eating. This study aimed to obtain the personnel's (preschool teachers, day-care nurses) views on the factors influencing children's fruit, vegetable, and sugar-enriched food intake at preschool. STUDY DESIGN: Four focus groups, in all 14 preschool personnel. Two researchers independently analysed the data using a socio-ecological framework. RESULTS: At the child level, age, peers, and the child's personality were recognized as factors influencing the fruit and vegetable (FV) and sugar-enriched food intake. At the preschool level, both the physical and social environments were discussed thoroughly, whereas at the societal level, policies of the EU, the state, and the municipality were mentioned as factors that influence what children eat in preschool. The personnel also discussed the interactions between factors both between levels and within levels. CONCLUSIONS: In Finnish preschools, children's food intake is influenced on and within several levels of the socio-ecological model. The identification of the factors influencing food intake allows different methods of intervention at multiple levels to promote healthy eating behaviours in preschools.
INTRODUCTION: A large proportion of young children spend most of their weekdays at preschool in Western countries. In Finland, three meals are included in a full day at preschool. These meals have the potential to promote healthy eating. This study aimed to obtain the personnel's (preschool teachers, day-care nurses) views on the factors influencing children's fruit, vegetable, and sugar-enriched food intake at preschool. STUDY DESIGN: Four focus groups, in all 14 preschool personnel. Two researchers independently analysed the data using a socio-ecological framework. RESULTS: At the child level, age, peers, and the child's personality were recognized as factors influencing the fruit and vegetable (FV) and sugar-enriched food intake. At the preschool level, both the physical and social environments were discussed thoroughly, whereas at the societal level, policies of the EU, the state, and the municipality were mentioned as factors that influence what children eat in preschool. The personnel also discussed the interactions between factors both between levels and within levels. CONCLUSIONS: In Finnish preschools, children's food intake is influenced on and within several levels of the socio-ecological model. The identification of the factors influencing food intake allows different methods of intervention at multiple levels to promote healthy eating behaviours in preschools.
Authors: Raphael M Herr; Katharina Diehl; Sven Schneider; Nina Osenbruegge; Nicole Memmer; Steffi Sachse; Stephanie Hoffmann; Benjamin Wachtler; Max Herke; Claudia R Pischke; Anna Novelli; Jennifer Hilger-Kolb Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-07 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Elviira Lehto; Carola Ray; Henna Vepsäläinen; Liisa Korkalo; Reetta Lehto; Riikka Kaukonen; Eira Suhonen; Mari Nislin; Kaija Nissinen; Essi Skaffari; Leena Koivusilta; Nina Sajaniemi; Maijaliisa Erkkola; Eva Roos Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-10-21 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Sze Lin Yoong; Jannah Jones; Nicole Pearson; Taren Swindle; Courtney Barnes; Tessa Delaney; Melanie Lum; Rebecca Golley; Louisa Matwiejczyk; Bridget Kelly; Erin Kerr; Penelope Love; Emma Esdaile; Dianne Ward; Alice Grady Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-08 Impact factor: 3.390