A Qualitative Exploration of Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Intake among 10- and 11-Year-Old Schoolchildren in the Low Countries

Abstract

Background: For the development of fruit and vegetable promotion interventions, insight is needed into determinants of health behaviour. This study presents results of focus group interviews held with 10- to 11-year-old schoolchildren from Ghent (Belgium-Flanders) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands) to explore personal beliefs and motivations and environmental factors related to schoolchildren’s fruit and vegetable intake, to inform the Pro Children intervention development. Methods: Twelve focus groups were held with 92 schoolchildren. The interviews were recorded and transcribed and NVivo was used to analyse the transcripts. Results: Positive health beliefs, taste preferences, lack of knowledge and practical barriers were identified as personal factors related to fruit and vegetable intake. Home and school availability of fruits and vegetables, as well as parenting practices were identified as important environmental factors. Conclusion: A fruit and vegetable promotion intervention should aim to increase fruit and vegetable accessibility and should include educational and motivational activities tailored to these personal and environmental factors. These indications should be further evaluated in quantitative research among representative samples.

Personal, social and environmental predictors of daily fruit and vegetable intake in 11-year-old children in nine European countries

“…The development of the questionnaire was based on theoretical models, a literature review, focus group interviews with children, individual interviews with parents and school staff and thorough pretesting Wind et al, 2005). A rigorous translation -back translation protocol was used to make sure that the questions were well understood in each country and measured the same constructs.…”

Fruit and vegetable availability: a micro environmental mediating variable?

“…Although F&V were available in most children's homes, the degree of availability differed by socio-economic status (SES) but not ethnicity 18,19,21 . Children from higher-income homes were more likely to 17 Focus groups with 4th and 5th grade students Increasing availability of F&V was suggested as a means of increasing intake Kirby et al (1995) 18 Focus groups with 4th/5th grade students, parents, teachers and school food service workers 23 Focus groups with 42 low-income, 10-to 13-year-old African-Americans to understand influences on F&V consumption F&V availability reported as influencing consumption Wind et al (2005) 24 Focus groups with 92 10-11-year-old Belgian and Dutch children to understand factors associated with consumption Availability of F&V was low at home and at school, and this appeared to influence intake SES -socio-economic status.…”

Hábitos alimentares e comportamento de consumo infantil: influência da renda familiar e do hábito de assistir à televisão

“…Estudos indicam que, devido ao sabor adocicado, crianças costumam preferir frutas a legumes e verduras 17 . Além disso, a renda tem sido associada ao consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras, pois famílias de baixa renda consomem menores quantidades desses alimentos do que famílias de maior renda 18 .…”