Children’s Perceptions about Environmental Sustainability, Food, and Nutrition in Chile: A Qualitative Study

Gabriela Fretes,Camila Corvalán,Sean B Cash,Amapola Sepúlveda

doi:10.3390/ijerph18189679

Gabriela Fretes, Camila Corvalán + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189679

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Abstract

Food is inextricably linked to human health and environmental sustainability; however, very little is known about children’s perceptions of the concept of sustainability in the context of food choices. We aimed to explore the perceptions of Chilean schoolchildren about environmental sustainability, food, and nutrition. Eight online focus groups were conducted with boys and girls aged 8–9 (n = 30). Questions related to environmental sustainability, pocket money, and food characteristics such as price, front-of-package (FOP) warning label, and eco-labels were included. Data analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti through a hybrid content analysis approach. Five central themes were identified: (1) children’s favorite snacks, (2) knowledge of sustainability, (3) sustainability and eco-labels use, (4) healthfulness of food products, and (5) pocket money and food prices. Most children were not aware of the meaning of “environmental sustainability”, but the concept was understood when it was explained in plain language. Participants showed awareness about the environmental impact of their eating behavior, had a positive perception of eco-labels, and identified food with fewer warning labels as “better” options. Results indicate that children understand the concept of sustainability in food if it is communicated clearly, and that eco-labels may be an effective tool in that effort.

Highlights

Diets have been identified as one of the main contributors to rising levels of child obesity and chronic disease [1]
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “sustainable diets are those diets with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations
The analyses identified five central themes: (1) children’s favorite snacks, (2) knowledge of sustainability concepts, (3) sustainability and eco-labels use, (4) healthfulness of food products and other food attributes, and (5) pocket money and food prices

Summary

Introduction

Diets have been identified as one of the main contributors to rising levels of child obesity and chronic disease [1]. Snacking on energy-dense nutrient poor (EDNP) foods is considered to have a great influence in children’s overweight [2,3]. In Chile, snacking contributes over a quarter of low-middle income Chilean children’s daily energy intake, including grain-based desserts, salty snacks, sweets and desserts, dairy, and cereal-based foods [4]. Children’s diets are largely determined by their caretakers, children’s crucial role as consumers in their own rights, as well as influencers in their own households and as future adult decision makers, needs to be recognized and incorporated into our understanding of child nutrition [5]. Part of achieving healthy and sustainable diets relies on consumer behavior, making children an important target group in part because eating

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