Spahiu, Elton, Çitozi, Robert, Zekaj, Erton
Healthy eating behaviour on children and the role of family modelling
Journal of Human Sport and Exercise. 2014, 9(Proc1): S300-S310. doi:10.14198/jhse.2014.9.Proc1.13
URI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2014.9.Proc1.13
DOI: 10.14198/jhse.2014.9.Proc1.13
ISSN: 1988-5202
Abstract: 
Most people’s food and eating decisions are embedded in family food and eating subsystems and/or intimately connected to significant others. Our study aimed to evaluate the food behaviour in children aged 11, 13 and 15 years old in relation to the family models. Our study was conducted in order to evaluate the eating behaviour on children in relation to the family modelling. This study included children aged 11, 13 and 15 years old from Tirana (capital of Albania), of 5, 7, respectively 9 grade, both from the urban and rural environment. A total of 240 students were included in the study, as follows: 120 students from rural areas (40 students 11 years old, 40 students 13 years old, 40 students 15 years old), and from urban areas the same number. The data collection was done using an anonymous tool based on the questionnaire used for the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children). As we know, it is very important to eat together as a family because healthy eating habits are formed by dining at home together. It is good that at least breakfast and dinner should be reserved to the whole family. A quite important percentage of students do not take breakfast in the family ever and this percentage increases by age. The study showed a prevalence of subjects from urban areas and a slight domination of girls. Most of the children have daily dinners with parents, even the proportion decreases by increasing age. More extended research is needed to confirm the situation at national level and to understand its causes. These should be followed by specific interventions aiming to raise awareness of the parents about their major role in influencing the children and in creating the basic premises for a healthy lifestyle in their adult life.
Keywords:Family modelling, Healthy eating, Children, Parental influence, Eating behavior
Universidad de Alicante. Área de Educación Física y Deporte
info:eu-repo/semantics/article