Protudjer Jennifer Lisa Penner, Marchessault Gail, Kozyrskyj Anita Luba, Becker Allan Barry
Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
Can J Diet Pract Res. 2010 Spring;71(1):19-23. doi: 10.3148/71.1.2010.19.
Healthful lifestyle habits established in childhood may continue through adulthood. Such habits may also be effective in preventing or reversing overweight and obesity. However, little is known about children's perceptions of healthful eating and physical activity. Thus, we sought a better understanding of how children perceive healthful eating and physical activity.
A purposeful selection was made of Winnipeg, Manitoba, boys (n=23) and girls (n=22) aged 11 to 12 years. The children were interviewed using a semi-structured, in-depth interview guide. Data were analyzed using thematic coding.
Although healthful eating was seen as necessary for health, high-fat, high-sugar foods were a source of pleasure and enjoyed during social times. Physical activity was a way of spending time with friends, either through active play or watching sports. Boys viewed screen time and homework as barriers to physical activity, while girls identified no common barriers. Children viewed physical activity as easier than healthful eating, describing the former as "play" and "fun."
Knowing how children think about food choices will further our understanding of the disconnect between nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviours. Understanding conflicting pressures that influence children's healthful lifestyles may enhance communication about these topics among parents, educators, and children.
儿童时期养成的健康生活习惯可能会持续到成年。这些习惯在预防或扭转超重和肥胖方面也可能有效。然而，对于儿童对健康饮食和体育活动的认知了解甚少。因此，我们试图更好地了解儿童如何看待健康饮食和体育活动。
有目的地选取了马尼托巴省温尼伯市11至12岁的男孩（n = 23）和女孩（n = 22）。使用半结构化的深度访谈指南对儿童进行访谈。采用主题编码对数据进行分析。
尽管健康饮食被视为健康所必需，但高脂肪、高糖食物是快乐的来源，在社交场合会享用。体育活动是与朋友共度时光的一种方式，要么通过积极玩耍，要么观看体育比赛。男孩将看屏幕时间和家庭作业视为体育活动的障碍，而女孩没有发现共同的障碍。孩子们认为体育活动比健康饮食更容易，将前者描述为“玩耍”和“有趣”。
了解儿童对食物选择的看法将增进我们对营养知识与饮食行为之间脱节的理解。了解影响儿童健康生活方式的相互冲突的压力，可能会加强家长、教育工作者和儿童之间关于这些话题的沟通。
