Healthy eating in preschool-aged children: Parents’ perceptions – a qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction

Healthy eating is essential for supporting children’s growth and development, laying the foundation for lifelong eating behaviors. The preschool years represent a critical period for the development of taste preferences and the establishment of dietary patterns, both of which are shaped by family dynamics and cultural traditions.

Objective

To examine how parents perceive healthy eating during the preschool years.

Methods

This qualitative, exploratory study involved semi-structured interviews with 10 parents of preschool-aged children receiving care at a Family Health Unit in Alto Minho, Portugal. Data were collected between December 2023 and January 2024. Content analysis followed Bardin’s methodology, and all procedures were conducted in accordance with ethical and professional standards. The study received approval from the Life and Health Sciences Ethics Committee.

Results

Parents underscored the importance of providing a balanced and varied diet, emphasizing the inclusion of vegetables, fruits, milk, and dairy products, along with limiting sugar intake. Soup was frequently described as an effective strategy for ensuring vegetable consumption. Still, several parents reported challenges in sustaining these practices on a daily basis, often citing barriers such as children’s taste preferences, time constraints related to family routines, and inconsistent access to healthy foods.

Conclusion                                    

While parents generally acknowledged the importance of healthy eating, their knowledge did not always translate into consistent feeding practices. These findings highlight the need to strengthen parental food literacy and implement support strategies that foster healthy food choices from early childhood.