Factors influencing children’s intake of fruit, vegetables, and sugar-enriched foods in a Finnish preschool setting — Perceptions of preschool personnel
ANSWER
Introduction: In Western countries, many young children spend most of their weekdays at preschool. A full day of preschool in Finland includes three meals. These meals have the potential to encourage healthy eating habits. This study aimed to gather information from personnel (preschool teachers and daycare nurses) about the factors influencing children’s fruit, vegetable, and sugar-enriched food intake at preschool.
Study design: Four focus groups were held, totalling 14 preschool personnel. The data were independently analyzed by two researchers using a socio-ecological framework.
Results: Age, peers, and the child’s personality were identified as influencing fruit and vegetable (FV) and sugar-enriched food intake at the child level. Both the physical and social environments were thoroughly discussed at the preschool level.
In contrast, 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 of factors between levels and within levels.
Conclusions: Children’s food intake in Finnish preschools is influenced by and within several levels of the socio-ecological model. Identifying the factors influencing food intake allows for multiple levels of intervention to promote healthy eating behaviours in preschools.
