Preference of Food-items and Physical Activity of Peri-urban Children in Bhaktapur

Abstract

Background: Though cardiovascular diseases are mostly seen in adulthood, foundation of diet and physical activity is largely formed during childhood. The study aimed to explore children's preference for diet and physical activity in a peri-urban area of Nepal because this is an important dimension to explore in the life-course approach to combat non-communicable diseases. Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study to enquire young peri-urban children of Duwakot and Jhaukhel villages of Bhaktapur district, Nepal on their preferences for diet and physical activity. All eligible households with children in the age range 5-10 years as enlisted from the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site database were selected for the study. Twelve enumerators visited the selected households and facilitated the eligible children to fill in the questionnaire. We used a child-friendly photo-assisted questionnaire with face-scales that easily enabled the children to select a particular preference for each of the food item and physical activity. During analysis, food items were categorized into 'green', 'yellow' and 'red' on the basis of their nutritive values. Physical activity was categorized based on severity of the activity.Results: Four hundred and thirty seven children filled up the questionnaires. Overall, median preference scores for 'red' food were higher than for healthier 'green' food (4.16 vs. 4.03), particularly, if mothers were self-employed. Likewise, the children preferred low over moderate-to-severe physical activity (4.16 vs. 3.50), and preference was affected by parents' occupation and income. Conclusions:The study objectively revealed that most of the children preferred unhealthier food-items and low physical activities. It shall be useful to consider these findings while planning health promotional activities targeted at them.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors: A community-based cross-sectional study in a peri-urban community of Kathmandu, Nepal

“…Constellation of urban and rural predisposing factors may increase the cardiovascular health vulnerability of the peri-urban communities. Findings from the similar settings in Kathmandu showed that nearly half of the study population had poor knowledge on cardiovascular health, and majority had “Red or unhealthy food” preference over “Green or healthy foods and were indulged in sedentary activities” 11, 12. Studies elsewhere13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 have also demonstrated a high prevalence of CVD risk factors both in urbanizing and rural communities.…”

Pediatric-Adapted Liking Survey (PALS): A Diet and Activity Screener in Pediatric Care

“…The Pediatric-adapted Liking Survey (PALS) is fast, has a high response rate in the PED, with good-to-excellent clinical-to-home test–retest reliability [22]. Furthermore, results from an assessment of children’s preference for food and physical activity (PA) can guide program planning [23]. Health promotion across the socio-ecological framework needs to develop healthy food and PA preferences in children [24].…”

Reconhecimento e preferência de pré-escolares por alimentos regionais após um Programa de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional

“…Por outro lado, os alimentos de sabor doce (laranja) são preferidos com maior frequência pelos pré-escolares. Estudo realizado com crianças asiáticas com idade entre 5 a 7 anos observou que as crianças apresentam preferências por alimentos vermelhos, abrangendo a categoria de alimentos não saudáveis (sorvetes, doces) em comparação a alimentos verdes, categorizados como saudáveis (frutas, verduras e legumes) (VAIDYA et al, 2017).…”