Background:
South Africa is a multicultural, multi-ethnic developing country currently experiencing a unique quadruple
burden of disease, of which malnutrition (both over- and under nutrition) is one of them. The increase in
childhood obesity within the current South-African health setting is of serious concern, approximately 14%
boys and 18% girls currently are overweight and it is estimated that this number will increase to 25% within
the next decade. Healthy eating habits and increased physical activity are important components of a healthy
lifestyle, and decrease the risk of overweight and obesity. It is also often the corner stone of many lifestyle
modification intervention programmes aimed at preventing or decreasing overweight/obesity.
Aim:
This sub-study was part of a larger intervention study where a nutrition education intervention programme
(NEIP) for children in the form of a musical play (based on the South African Food Based Dietary Guidelines
[SAFBDG]) was developed to increase nutrition knowledge and thereby also contribute towards healthy
lifestyle behaviour. The aim of this sub-study was therefore to explore and describe the attitude of a specific
group of primary school children (aged 6-12 years) towards healthy eating, unhealthy eating, and physical
activity before and after a NEIP as well as the standard school curriculum. Secondly, it was aimed to identify
possible barriers to and motivators for healthy eating, unhealthy eating and physical activity.
Methods:
Children were randomly selected from the experimental group (n=143) of the main study. Children were
selected into one of four focus groups per school (6 children per focus group) from which qualitative data
were gathered on children’s attitude and perception towards healthy eating, unhealthy eating, and physical
activity. Focus groups were defined by age and gender (boys and girls seperately, grades I-III and grades IVVI
seperately), totalling a number of 96 children. A total of 75 children completed this sub-study, 21 children
dropped out due to school-related problems or after school activities that clashed with the time slots during
which the NEIP was implimented. Quantitative data was gathered with a socio-demographic and physical
activity questionnaire, as well as a 3-point hedonic facial expression scale which was used to quantify attitude
towards healthy eating, unhealhty eating and physical activity. All data (quantitative and qualitative) were
collected at both baseline and end measurements. Results:
The main findings of this sub-study were that the attitude of most primary school children towards healthy
eating, unhealthy eating or physical activity remained unchanged after a unique NEIP. Five major themes
were identified out of focus group discussions namely health awareness, healthy eating, unhealthy eating,
physical activity, and consequences of unhealthy eating and sedentary behaviour. Mothers were identified as
the main motivator for eating healthy and avoiding unhealthy eating. The taste and smell of food were both
either identified as motivators or barriers for healthy eating and unhealthy eating. Older girls associate
unhealthy eating with becoming fat while many children associate the combination of unhealthy eating and
being sedentary with becoming fat. Most children have a positive attitude towards physical activity and
enjoy doing it although the biggest motivator for partaking in physical activity is their parents and not
themselves.
Conclusion:
Even though some children’s attitude did change in the desired direction after the implementation of a unique
and fun NEIP, most children’s attitude towards healthy eating, unhealthy eating and physical activity
remained unchanged. This might have been due to the measurement tool that was not sensitive enough to
detect subtle changes. Various factors that can influence children’s attitude and perceptions towards healthy
eating, unhealthy eating and physical activity both positively or negatively were identified. This study is one
of only a few that explored and described the ‘true’ motivators of and barriers for children’s attitude towards
healthy eating, unhealthy eating and physical activity. Results generated from this sub-study can thus make a
valuable contribution to the existing literature available in this specific study field. / Thesis (MSc (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/8529 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Harris, Michelle |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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