A qualitative study of Brazilian children's habits

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate television viewing habits of children from low-income families, their consumption of fruits, vegetables and snacks, as well as their spending habits.

Design/methodology/approach

11 focus groups were conducted with 54 public school students aged seven to ten years, divided by sex and age. Transcription of the discussions was processed by content analysis. Family income was indirectly assessed through classification of parents' occupations.

Findings

The habit of watching television was very present in the students' routines, as was eating in front of the television set. Eating fruits and vegetables was a habit, but frequent consumption of snack foods was also reported. Students had money of their own to spend independently and did it mostly on snacks. Parental interference over their habits was not perceived by the students. Television watching was a regular activity not only for the children, but also for their families. Even though research design could not establish a causal relationship, consumption and acquisition of unhealthy food items was routine, as well as watching television.

Research limitations/implications

Results are of local nature and findings may differ from those of other regions or countries. Also, students were conveniently selected, and as volunteers they may have been more likely to have an interest in matters related to nutrition, or could have misreported their eating behaviours to be more socially desirable than they actually were.

Originality/value

Qualitative investigation regarding television viewing habits, food choices and purchases of Brazilian low-income children.

Citation

Nascimento, A. and Fiates, G. (2013), "A qualitative study of Brazilian children's habits", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 43 No. 6, pp. 527-534. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-08-2011-0083