O que as crianças pensam sobre frutas, legumes e verduras? Um estudo sobre o consumo alimentar entre escolares

Abstract

Evaluate the intake and identify, within the family, the reasons that lead children to consume or not fruits and vegetables (FLV). Methods: Qualitative study conducted in the city of Pelotas, between February and August 2014. The sample consisted of children from three schools, between six and seven years old, and mothers / guardians. In each school, there were three meetings that included talks, group discussions with production drawings and use of food pictures. With mothers / guardians semi-structured interviews were conducted. The transcribed data were subjected to content analysis. Results: Children justified the acceptance or rejection of the appearance and taste of the FLV. Being the sweet taste as the main determinant of acceptance of fruit. Children who received further encouragement from their mothers / guardians to consume FLV justified their food choices with property, reported FLV available at home, related foods with disease and classified the FLV as healthy. Children who received less incentive associated the consumption of fruits and vegetables to processed foods and consume referred FLV available at school. Among the mothers / guardians to affect the relationship with the offer of FV was present, related to care among those with greater incentive and pleasure among others. Conclusion: FLV consumption was related to the sensory aspects, the availability in the environment, the concept of healthy, the presence or absence of disease in the family, the concern / maternal care and pleasure. These aspects gain more or less weight as compressions and maternal / family knowledge about what is a healthy child and the role of food in their welfare.