Barreras y facilitadores para el establecimiento de hábitos alimentarios, modelo Póngale Vida®

Abstract

Introduction: The Preschool Cycle is a period of changes in nutritional status and eating behavior, constituting a fundamental stage for the development of healthy eating habits, where the family plays a major role. Objective: Identify the main barriers and facilitators for healthy eating in preschool age, with the purpose of designing strategies to prevent childhood overweight and obesity. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted under a mixed approach, with a descriptive and transversal type. Sixty parents or caregivers of preschool children who were part of the model during 2014 at the Mariano Cortés School (urban) and Canada School (rural), completed the questionnaire and twenty-five participated in the focus groups (one focus group in each school). Results: The barriers that the parents and caregivers faced daily included: food rejection by the child, the influence of peers and even the attitudes of adults who share with the child while eating. The facilitators that encourage healthy eating in this stage of life were: establish clear rules when eating, offer a variety of foods and explain to the child the importance of eating fruits and vegetables in a simple way. Conclusion: The barriers and facilitators to promote healthy eating in this stage of the lifetime, must be include as part of future strategies for the prevention of childhood obesity.

Television food and beverage marketing to children in Costa Rica: current state and policy implications

“…In Costa Rica, however, there is little research regarding the causes of excess weight gain in children. Studies have assessed differences in the built environment in which children interact ( 12 ) , explored barriers and facilitators for healthy eating ( 13 ) , and determined geographic differences in the prevalence of obesity ( 14 ) .…”