Fruit and vegetable intake of schoolchildren in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Montenegro-Bethancourt, Gabriela; Doak, Colleen M.; Solomons, Noel W.

doi:10.1590/s1020-49892009000200008

Cited by 23 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Private schoolchildren may also have more exposure to health concerns, whether in school or at home. In Guatemalan schoolchildren, four times more 'nonconsumers' of fruits and vegetables were found in public schools compared to their counterparts in private schools (26). In addition, we observed that only unhealthy food consumption was more frequent in urban than peri-urban schoolchildren, confirming the impact of urbanization on food patterns among urban dwellers (41).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Predisposing, facilitating and reinforcing factors of healthy and unhealthy food consumption in schoolchildren: a study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Objective: African schoolchildren's dietary habits are likely changing in the realm of the nutrition transition, particularly in urban areas, but data on their diet and on determinants are scanty. In order to design relevant interventions for this priority target group, the study aimed to assess food habits and their determinants in schoolchildren of Ouagadougou. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, fifth-grade schoolchildren filled during school hours a questionnaire to assess consumption frequency of 'healthy' foods (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, legumes) and 'unhealthy' (superfluous) items (cake, cookies, candies, ice, soda) and underlying factors, using Green's PRECEDE model. Results:The study included 769 schoolchildren, mean age 11.7 ± 1.4 years, from eight public and four private schools. Consumption scores of unhealthy items were significantly higher than healthy foods (p = 0.001). During the week prior to the survey, 25% of children had eaten no fruit, 20% no meat, 20% no legumes, 17% no fish and 17% no vegetables. While less than 4% ate fruits or vegetables every day, 18.3% ate ice pop every day. Children eating cookies, cakes and candy every day were up to seven-fold those eating fruits, vegetables or legumes. Compared to public-school pupils, those from private schools consumed both healthy and unhealthy items more frequently (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007, respectively). Urban schoolchildren had significantly higher unhealthy food scores (p = 0.027) compared to peri-urban schools. Children's healthy and unhealthy food consumption was primarily explained by perceived decisional power and availability [facilitating factors] for both types of foods, and maternal reinforcement for healthy foods and peers' reinforcement for consumption of unhealthy items. Overall, facilitating factors rated higher for unhealthy than healthy foods. Conclusion: The study showed that city schoolchildren's eating behaviours are far from optimal. Nutrition interventions should be tailored to address the underlying factors in order to impact on behaviours, thereby preventing both dietary inadequacies and excess. (Global Health Promotion, 2013; 20(1): 68-77)

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Predisposing, facilitating and reinforcing factors of healthy and unhealthy food consumption in schoolchildren: a study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Three low-income urban communities (i.e., Mixco, Santa Catarina Pinula, Villa Nueva) were identified and six low-income elementary schools, four public and two private, were selected based on convenience; two schools from each community. Previous publications have used type of school (public or private) to classify children in public schools as low socio-economic status, and those of private schools (monthly fees US$60-$120) as high socio-economic status [13,18]. However, in this study, children attending private schools (monthly fee < US$16) were still considered as being of low socio-economic status.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…However, little is known about the prevalence of NCD risk factors in school-age children. In the capital of the Department of Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala, it was found that 56% of the children attending third and fourth grade had inadequate fruit and vegetable intake [13], less than 400 g a day [14]. Smoking prevalence in adolescents and young men (aged 15–24 years) has been reported at 23% [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formative research to develop a community-based intervention for chronic disease prevention in Guatemalan school-age children

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundNoncommunicable diseases (NCD) are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, even in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Recent trends in health promotion emphasize community-based interventions as an important strategy for improving health outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct formative research regarding the perceptions of NCD risk factors, their influencing factors, and community resources available to aid the development and implementation of a community-based intervention with school-age children.MethodsFocus group discussions (n = 18), home visits (n = 30), and individual semi-structured interviews (n = 26) were conducted in three urban communities in Guatemala with school-age children (10–12 years of age), teachers, parents, and local community members (i.e., school principals, school food kiosk vendors, religious leaders, authority representatives). All focus groups and interviews were transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis.ResultsChildren, parents, and teachers have general knowledge about modifiable risk factors. Adults worried more about tobacco use, as compared to unhealthy diet and physical inactivity in children. Participants identified features at the intrapersonal (e.g., negative emotional state), interpersonal (e.g., peers as role models), and organizational and community levels (e.g., high levels of crime) that influence these risk factors in children. School committees, religious leaders, and government programs and activities were among the positive community resources identified.ConclusionsThese findings should help researchers in Guatemala and similar LMIC to develop community-based interventions for NCD prevention in school-age children that are effective, feasible, and culturally acceptable.

show abstract

“…This is important to address as the majority of school age children are not meeting the recommended daily intake of fruits of vegetables in the USA and other countries (Evans et al , 2012; United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, 2014). In Guatemala, more than 55% of school children in the Quetzaltenango region fell below the daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables (Montenegro-Bethancourt et al , 2009). These dietary, environmental and behavioral factors have negative implications on children's health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guatemalan school food environment: impact on schoolchildren's risk of both undernutrition and overweight/obesity

Pehlke

Letona

Hurley

et al. 2015

Health Promot. Int.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Guatemala suffers the double burden of malnutrition with high rates of stunting alongside increasing childhood overweight/obesity. This study examines the school food environment (SFE) at low-income Guatemalan elementary schools and discusses its potential impact on undernutrition and overweight/obesity. From July through October 2013, direct observations, in-depth interviews with school principals (n = 4) and food kiosk vendors (n = 4, 2 interviews each) and also focus groups (FGs) with children (n = 48, 8 FGs) were conducted. The SFE comprises food from school food kiosks (casetas); food from home or purchased in the street; and food provided by the school (refacción). School casetas, street vendors and children's parents largely provide sandwiches, calorie-rich snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages. Refacción typically serves energy dense atol, a traditional beverage. The current school food program (refacción), the overall SFE and the roles/opinions of vendors and principals reveal persistent anxiety concerning undernutrition and insufficient concern for overweight/obesity. Predominant concern for elementary schoolchildren remains focused on undernutrition. However, by the time children reach elementary school (ages 6–12+), food environments should encourage dietary behaviors to prevent childhood overweight/obesity.

show abstract

Fruit and vegetable intake of schoolchildren in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Abstract: This study revealed inadequate fruit/vegetable intake among the study sample. For compliance with global recommendations, interventions promoting fruit/vegetable intake are needed.

Cited by 23 publications

References 30 publications

Predisposing, facilitating and reinforcing factors of healthy and unhealthy food consumption in schoolchildren: a study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Predisposing, facilitating and reinforcing factors of healthy and unhealthy food consumption in schoolchildren: a study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Formative research to develop a community-based intervention for chronic disease prevention in Guatemalan school-age children

Guatemalan school food environment: impact on schoolchildren's risk of both undernutrition and overweight/obesity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About