Parents’ perceived knowledge about food-related behaviours influencing speech-language competences of preschool children
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 25 August 2021
Issue publication date: 7 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
There is a relationship between eating behaviours and the development of speech-language competences during childhood. This study aims to evaluate the impact of interdisciplinary sessions on food and speech-language education with children’s parents.
Design/methodology/approach
The session was focused on healthy eating habits and behaviours that may improve or impair child speech competence. Using a self-administered questionnaire, before and immediately after the session, parents from 11 preschools, answered 12 questions, on a five-point Likert scale. Questionnaires from the final sample (n = 96) were statistically analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.
Findings
Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences in answers to six questions between pre and post intervention: items 1 (Z = −5.04; p < 0.001), 2 (Z = −3.68; p < 0.001), 3 (Z = −4.12; p < 0.001), 4 (Z = −5.87; p < 0.001), 9 (Z = −2.73; p = 0.006) and 12 (Z = −2.00; p = 0.046). The questionnaire responses after the session showed that parents became more aware of the relationship between the two areas addressed. In addition, the subjects presented more assertiveness in their answers after the educational intervention of the nutritionist and the speech therapist.
Practical implications
The study showed the importance of associating topics on food and speech-language education and both being addressed simultaneously to parents. The empowerment of parents and other caregivers about feeding and speech-language development may increase their motivation to foster child healthy eating behaviours. It is also desirable to extend this kind of interdisciplinary intervention to other preschools.
Originality/value
This study fulfils an identified need to study the perceived knowledge of parents about the food-related behaviours influencing speech-language competences of children.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This research was funded by project “+ Saúde, + Sucesso” – “Promoção do Sucesso Educativo Viseu Dão Lafões, Centro 2020/Prioridade 10.1” and National Funds through FCT, “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.” under the project UIDB/00681/2020.
The authors thank MSc Florbela Vitória for her valuable support in statistical analysis and Joana Jaloto for her kind support in the English revision.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Citation
Botelho, G., Rodrigues, E., Matos, R. and Lameiras, J. (2022), "Parents’ perceived knowledge about food-related behaviours influencing speech-language competences of preschool children", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 52 No. 2, pp. 334-345. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-04-2021-0136
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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