Primary children's choice of food and their knowledge of balanced diet and healthy eating

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the relationship between meal choices of primary school children and their knowledge of balanced diet and healthy eating.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire and food photo album (FPA), children combined the different food items in the FPA to form a “healthy Sunday lunch” (balanced meal containing all the six classes of food), a “favourite Sunday lunch” (what they would like for a Sunday lunch) and “last Sunday lunch” (what they had the previous Sunday for lunch). Overall, 110 questionnaires were returned and analyzed.

Findings

Participants' choice of a favourite Sunday lunch had a better representation of the various classes of a balanced healthy meal (X=71.8 and SD=24.0) compared with their ability to create a healthy Sunday lunch, which did not reflect adequately the six classes of food (X=59.8 and SD=36.9). Last Sunday lunch had a good representation of the various classes of food (X=70.7, SD=24.8). Girls had a better ability to plan a healthy Sunday lunch than boys.

Research limitations/implications

The study was carried out with year 6 pupils (n=110) in four primary schools in rural Mid‐Wales. Thus, the generality of these findings to children from other demographics is unclear.

Practical implications

There was no significant relationship between pupils' choice of food and their knowledge of balanced diet.

Originality/value

The results suggested that children will make “healthy choices” but need the knowledge underpinning these “healthy choices” in order to affect their attitude towards healthy eating.

Citation

Hamilton‐Ekeke, J. and Thomas, M. (2007), "Primary children's choice of food and their knowledge of balanced diet and healthy eating", British Food Journal, Vol. 109 No. 6, pp. 457-468. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700710753517