Food behaviors and preferences in school children of a private educational institution during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ventanilla - Callao: Qualitative research

Barba-Orbe V.; Cartagena-Percca K.; Rivera-Cursino L.; Quintana-Salinas M. · Revista Espanola de Nutricion Comunitaria (2025)

Resumen

Background: Confinement during COVID-19 would have affected the food consumption behavior of school children. The objective was to identify food behaviors and preferences in elementary schoolchildren of a private educational institution during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ventanilla, Callao 2020. Methods: Qualitative, phenomenological study conducted with 19 schoolchildren in fourth and fifth grade of elementary school in an urban area. After informed consent and assent, in-depth interviews and interactive images were carried out through virtual platforms. An inductive analysis was applied. There was credibility, reliability and triangulation by techniques and researchers. Results: The majority of schoolchildren were boys in fourth grade and 10 years old. Several themes emerged such as: food practices and habits, response to emotions and food preferences. Conclusions: Schoolchildren expressed their participation in various activities associated with food consumption, expressed their appreciation of food customs and culinary heritage, their food consumption responds to emotions. They also showed an understanding of how to access food in the COVID-19 context; in addition, they recognized their likes and dislikes for different foods and preparations, identifying healthy and unhealthy options, although they consumed the latter because of their pleasant taste.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos