What do Canadian children understand about healthy eating?
What do Canadian children understand about healthy eating?
This study explored children’s understanding and perceptions of the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide and identified opportunities to improve children’s food knowledge, cooking skills, and healthy eating behaviours.
What We Did and Why We Did It
We conducted a qualitative study with 35 children aged 9–12 years from Southwestern Ontario. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with children through video conferencing between September and November 2021. Children discussed their understanding of the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide, including food groups, healthy eating recommendations, and challenges and strategies related to following recommendations such as “Cook more often,” “Eat meals with others,” and “Enjoy your food.” Researchers analyzed the interviews to identify common themes related to children’s food knowledge and experiences.
Children develop food knowledge and eating habits during childhood, which can influence their health throughout life. While previous research has explored adults’ and parents’ perceptions of Canada’s Food Guide, less was known about how children understand and interpret healthy eating recommendations. Understanding children’s perspectives can help inform nutrition education programs and policies that better support children in making healthy food choices.
What We Found
What We Can Learn From This
Children generally had positive perceptions of the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide and its recommendations. However, many children were unsure about certain foods highlighted in the guide, including plant-based proteins, whole grains, and highly processed foods. Children also expressed confusion about food groups, including where certain foods belong and how much of each food group they should eat. Many children were interested in cooking and helping prepare meals but reported that limited skills, safety concerns, and lack of opportunities prevented them from being more involved. Children suggested that having more responsibility in the kitchen, reducing distractions during meals, and creating more opportunities to practice cooking could help them follow healthy eating recommendations.
Children’s perspectives are important when designing nutrition education and healthy eating programs. Providing children with clear information about different foods, food groups, and cooking skills can help build confidence and support lifelong healthy habits. Creating more opportunities for children to participate in food preparation and decision-making may also encourage greater independence and engagement with healthy eating.
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