Table 1 Parent responses to the question “What does ‘healthy eating’ in children mean to you?”
Ideas mentioned by parents | Number of groups mentioning this response | Theme developed |
|---|---|---|
Vegetables | 9 | A variety, balance and range of foods |
Fruit | 9 | |
Sweets/sometimes foods | 9 | |
Variety | 9 | |
Balance of food/nutrients | 7 | |
Following food pyramid | 4 | |
Dairy | 3 | |
Meat | 3 | |
Carb/wholegrains | 2 | |
Fresh juice | 1 | |
Reduced sugar | 4 | Limiting certain foods |
Homemade | 3 | |
Reduced salt | 3 | |
No junk/fast food/soft drinks | 3 | |
Limited processing | 2 | |
No preservatives | 1 | |
Fussy eating/food refusal | 7 | Problems parents face in encouraging healthy eating in children |
Time poor re: meal plans & food preparation | 5 | |
Extended family | 5 | |
Perception that healthy food is expensive | 1 | |
Lack of social support/advice | 1 | |
Good attitude with eating | 2 | Importance of healthy eating habits |
Regular meals/intervals | 1 | |
Good eating habits | 1 |