PARENTS’ AND PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ INSIGHTS ON BALANCED NUTRITIOUS DIET FOR CHILDREN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

School is an excellent setting to promote healthy eating behaviors for school-aged children.  Parental eating habits and feeding techniques also could impact children’s eating habits and food choices.  Designing sustainable strategies and approaches to encourage healthier eating among children requires understanding their perspectives on a balanced nutrition diet.  This study aimed to uncover insightful perspectives that will contribute to developing effective methods and interventions for promoting a balanced nutritious diet among school-aged children.  This study was qualitative research with an exploratory case study approach.  The informants in this study were 4 parents and 3 primary school teachers from SDIT Khoirru Ummah Malang, Indonesia.  The method used to collect data was focus group discussion (FGD) employing the FGD guideline.  Information was obtained in Indonesian, recorded, verbatim transcribed, and translated into English for analysis.  Parents and teachers already tried to promote a balanced diet based on their understanding.  Both parents and teachers agreed that they play an equally significant role in providing children with adequate nutrition instruction.  They should encourage healthy eating for their children by setting an excellent example because children are good imitators.  They understand the value of giving children a healthy, balanced diet.  The study also showed the need for engaging children’s learning materials to convey diet and health concepts.  Parents and teachers understand the value of nutrition education and the necessity for specialized knowledge about a balanced diet.  Eating patterns are formed from childhood, so they need a solid educational foundation from their parents, teachers, peers, and engaging learning media.