Parental dietary intake predicts fruit consumption among preschool children

Abstract

The promotion of adequate and healthy eating in childhood constitutes a central strategy of public health policies, with schools representing a privileged setting for the formation of dietary habits. During the preschool period, eating behavior is strongly influenced by the family and school environments, particularly with regard to the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. This study aimed to identify the determining factors associated with the consumption of these foods among preschool children enrolled in a public school in the municipality of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 72 preschool children and their respective parents. Dietary intake was assessed using an adapted food frequency questionnaire, and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained through a structured questionnaire. The fruits most frequently consumed by the children were banana, apple, and orange, with patterns similar to those observed among parents, whereas foods such as kiwi, escarole, and watercress showed low intake in both groups. A positive association was observed between children’s consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes and parental consumption, regardless of sociodemographic characteristics, as well as an association with the number of meals consumed in the school environment. It is concluded that both the family and school environments exert a direct influence on preschoolers’ eating habits, reinforcing the need for food and nutrition education actions aimed at expanding dietary variety from the earliest years of life.