Healthy eating - exploring children's perception of healthy eating - Essay Example

Healthy eating- exploring children's perception of healthy eating. Focusing on the challenges of healthy eating Course Date Introduction It is essential for young children to eat healthily in order to strengthen their immunity even at the later stages of their life. There is also a belief that when children eat healthy food, they gain from long term physiological impacts of a high quality diet in babyhood, and these results to a healthy eating in their adult life. Healthy eating means quality and balanced diet, and not eating quantity. For instance, over-consumption of energy giving food results to obesity, and this is a condition that is rising at an alarming rate. A diet served with fruits and vegetables reduces the chances of acquiring some diseases, like cancer, cardiovascular heart diseases, high blood pressure, and toothache. From the latest studies conducted, children, particularly those in Britain are consuming less fruits than the recommended number of fruits and vegetables per each day. There is evidence that, material possession and environmental context influences children’s’ eating habit, therefore, those children whose parents are low-income earners eats do not get enough fruits and vegetables compared to those whose parents are high-income earners. This paper illustrates a systematic review intending to investigate both the barriers and catalysts of healthy eating amid children ranging between 4-10 years of age. The barriers and the facilitators discussed in this paper emanates from both fruits and vegetables. The review shall also illustrate on the methodology used in determining the health aspect of children. As far as I am concerned, I consider this review as the first systematic review that integrates, in a precise and methodical way, the results of a statistical met analysis with the results gathered from a fusion of a qualitative research. The methods used provide a valid and reliable solution free from biasness, thus making it easy to implement executable recommendations. In other words, this paper shall give a review on the perceptions of children on healthy eating, and shall majorly focus on the challenges of healthy eating. Literature Review Healthy eating is a subject that brings a lot of controversy in the society. The controversy shifts from social –economic aspect to political. There are numerous competing opinions, and because healthy eating takes a new position in the society, each view finds a fresh scrutiny in the media, than it would have in the past. In other words, healthy eating among young children has taken a new perspective in the community and is concrete strategies are in place to improve the situation. Advice on healthy eating is offered freely in websites and in the society in order to offer counseling amongst people suffering from healthy related ailments. However, even after the issue turning out to be a global issue, the results from the research evidence is difficult to interpret. In addition, the definitions for healthy eating differs, however, there is an emphasis on attaining the correct balance of a variety of foods is a common aspect. The Health Education Authority (HEA) offers a suggestion that eating large quantities of starch and carbohydrates, without any portion of vegetables and fruits is quite dangerous. In addition, Roe et al. (1997, P.16), defines healthy eating as a diet that lacks either fats or salts, or has a lot of starch foods, fruits and/or vegetables that a person should consume every day. Benefits of Healthy Eating The global consensus links diet high in fruit and vegetable with a decrease in a variety of diseases including cancers, cardiovascular heart disease, high blood pressure, and tooth decay (World Health Organization, 2003). About cancer disease, United Kingdom government claims that numerous cases leading to cancer are because of poor diet (Department of Health, 1998: paragraph 2.19). This is a concern shared globally and WHO claims that in order to reduce various cancer cases; one should observe a diet that is sufficient in high in fruits and vegetables (World Health Organization, 2003). Together with that, a high intake of fruits and vegetables helps in preventing problems that might occur later in life. For example, research indicate that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, may be linked with, low blood pressure, enhanced diabetic management, deferred development of cataract ,and improvement in bowel function. This may influence on the reference to raise fibre intake and lower fat consumption (Coxet al., 1998; Department of Health and COMA, 1994; Department of Health and COMA, 1998; Johnet al., 2002; Tayloret al., 1995). Another reason that compels one to promote healthy eating among young children is to prevent or rather lower the chances of contracting obesity. Studies indicate that a high percentage of people in developed countries suffer from obesity (Chinn and Rona, 2001; Rudolfet al., 2001). World Health Organization expresses considerable concern that increased consumption of energy heavy foods is slightly responsible for the high chances of getting diabetes, and instead recommends increased consumption of energy dilute foods. In addition, intake of wholegrain foods helps prevent occurrences of such diseases. In United Kingdom, however, the thrust towards raising the quantity of fruits and vegetables consumed purposes in preventing the occurrence of diseases rather than putting a stop to obesity. While evidence provides a link between Obesity and diets deficient in fruit and fruits, there is no apparent reason that a decreased consumption of such foods causes obesity. Eating trends among young Children in United Kingdom From the survey conducted in June 2000, by the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People, it deduced that, children from Britain, England consumed less than half of fruits and vegetables suggested (Department of Health, 2000a). The statistics indicated that young people aged between 4-18 years were unfortunate to get any fruit in the course of survey and that children from low incomes earners did not a chance of obtaining fruit compared to those children from high income homes. A similar scenario was exhibited by the Health Survey for England 2001(Doyle and Hosfield, 2003) which indicated that children were given few fruits and vegetables that adults. This research revealed that, both young boys and girls had a similar consumption rate, and statistics disclosed that they both consume 2.7 portions on average per day. Together with that, 11% of young children with ages ranging from 5 – 9, consumed about five pieces of fruits the day prior to the study, and 15% of children aged between 5 and 15 ate a small portion the day before the survey. In addition, the study disclosed that young children from economically disadvantaged families consumed less food compared to the economically advantaged families. For this reason, it is significant to maintain healthy eating among children for purposes of a rational response to research evidence regarding the predominance of diseases related to an unbalanced diet. Healthy eating should be a priority amongst young children with an aim that these children will safeguard their future life from diseases and ailments, and with the belief that healthy eating is likely to lead to healthy eating in their adult life. Most nations that maintain health policy aims at bringing down the risks associated to chronic and preventable diseases by preserving a policy health care policy with the population (Department of Health, 1998). Healthy eating amongst children is core to preventing contraction of such ailments, and, a balanced diet plays an imperative role of either treating or curing diseases related to poor diet. The NHS Plan confirmed the significance of nutrition in year 2000. The Plan prioritized on the significance of increased intake of a variety of fruits and vegetables and proposed consumption of approximately five pieces within a day. This helps tackle some of the challenges encountered by expectant mothers and young children under the brackets of economically disadvantaged households. 1.6 Methodology The chain of methodical reviews of health maintenance in physical events and healthy eating for young children provides an insight for methodological development. Past reviews have utilized methodical analytical methods to investigate people’s opinion on challenges of healthy eating among children. This paper applies different methods purposed at determining the key challenges that affect healthy eating in young children. In addition, there are numerous ways used in conducting research; however, it is essential to apply appropriate methodology. In conducting a research, the strategy applied determines the various factors, for instance the topic under discussion, the significance of the study and variables and invariable used in the research study. I used the following methods in my research; ethnography, in-depth interview, participant observation, action research, and bibliographic research method. Focus Group Method Focus group is a group interview that focuses on communication between interviewees in order to generate data. These methods assists collect data from numerous individuals simultaneously. Together with that, the method is interactive in order to capture the interest of unresponsive individuals. This implies that a researcher does not require each person to respond to a question, but encourages people to ask each other questions, exchange ideas, comment on other people’s perception and experiences. This research method is valid for exploring persons’ experiences and knowledge. The focus group method is based on the idea that group interactions can help people to clarify and explore their views and experiences in a manner that would not have been possible with a face-to-face interview. The questionnaires used in focus group method have a series of open-ended questions and encourages interviewees to answer the questions in their own styles, and even generate further questions and pursue their own priorities. Focus group method helps researchers to include the different forms of communication that people use in their day-to-day interaction, including arguing, jokes, teasing, and anecdotes. Accessing such forms of communication is significant because the interviewees’ attitudes and knowledge is not restrictive in reasoned responses to present the questions. In this review, the method is applicable since it involves every person without biasness. For instance, both economically disadvantaged children and economically advantaged children are included in this method. In addition, focus method encourages participation from reluctant individuals that are unwilling to participate. However, this method may not be reliable in this research. The articulation of social norms may curtail effective performance of the method, in that, some people may feel discriminated when classified under a certain class or status. Together with that, the presence of a group may compromise the confidentiality of the research process. However, it is an effective method in this research since the researcher will not only conduct the research, but also find lasting solutions for healthy eating. Young children have an opportunity to share their views concerning healthy eating and challenges they encounter in trying to fight poor diet. The Findings obtained are favorable to every member that falls under the bracket of poor diet. Ethnography method Ethnography is the study of social behaviors, perceptions and interactions, which occur in organizations, communities, groups, and teams. It primarily focuses on providing rich and holistic insights into an individual’s actions and perceptions, including the nature of the location they occupy, through the collection of detailed interviews and observations. Ethnographers typically collect participants’ observations, and encourage direct involvement and engagement with the samples they are studying. During research processes, ethnographers usually use conversational and informal interviews that enable them to probe and discuss emerging issues, or pose questions about unusual events, in a naturalistic manner. They also collect documentary data such as photographs, diaries, and minutes of meetings and formal in-depth interviews. Situations or participants are sampled on a purposive or opportunistic basis. Ethnographic data helps identify and classify key issues and themes, which emerge from the data. By using inductive process, ethnographers can carefully analyze data to produce timid theoretical explanations from their empirical works. Ethnographers usually provide a detailed description of the research participants and its setting based on interviews with key informants and numerous hours of direct observation. Additionally, they use methodological triangulation to enhance the quality of ethnographic work. The use of interviewees’ observations enables ethnographers to understand their research settings, thus enhancing the understanding of social actions in different contexts. The use of participants’ perceptions enhances the understanding of social practices hidden from the public eyes. This helps in identifying, exploring, and linking social phenomena believed to have little connection with each other in the public eyes. However, this research method is problematic in relation to the long time that researchers spend while conducting interviews and observing actions. In essence, ethnography focuses on one-on-one interviews with the participants. For this reason, ethnographers are patient, flexible, and persistent in their work since data collection process can be withdrawn or disrupted as politics or local circumstances change. Additionally, ethnography methods assist in conducting research on social phenomena. In-Depth Interview In-depth interview is a qualitative research method designed to explore the participants’ perceptions about the research topic. During an interview, the researcher becomes the student while the interviewer is the experts. The researcher’s main motives are to learn anything that the interviewers can say about the research topic. The research questions are presented in a neutral manner, and the researcher carefully listens to the participants’ responses. Additionally, researchers do not guide participants in accordance to the preconceived notion, and participants are also not encouraged to provide specific answers through disapproving or approving their opinions. In-depth interviews are usually conducted on the one-on-one basis between the interviewer and interviewees. In-depth interviews focuses in learning about an individual’s perspectives as opposed to focus group method that focuses on learning a community’s group norms .In-depth Method is inappropriate for getting individuals to talk about their personal opinions, feelings, and experiences. However, in-depth interviews provide opportunities for learning about people’s interpretation and understanding of the world. In-depth interviews are also appropriate for researching sensitive methods that people might find difficult discussing in a group setting. In comparison, in-depth interviews are used for learning individual feelings, experiences, opinions and addressing sensitive topics while focus group methods are used for identifying group norms, gathering opinions about group norms, and discovering variety within a population. Moreover, in-depth interviews are used for gathering in-depth responses with contradictions and nuances while focus groups are used for gathering information on a variety of opinions and norms in a short time. Participant Observation Participant observation is a qualitative research method of investigating social concerns where the researcher participates in the everyday life of a social setting, and records their observations and experiences. The participant’s observation is considered as an important part of this qualitative method. This method is closely related with ethnography methods and theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism. Additionally, it is applicable alongside other qualitative interviewing methods. Observation methods provide researchers with several ways of checking nonverbal expression of feeling, establishing how much time is spent in performing certain duties, understanding how participants communicate with one another, and determining who associates with whom. Participant observation methods, like focus group methods, allow participants to use their own language, and understanding of different terms to answer questions during the interview process. Participant observation also provides richly detailed information about a given organization or community more than focus group method. It also provides a basis for learning and understanding how different individuals describe intentions, behaviors, events, and situations. However, most researchers, using this method, are usually not interested in studying what happens in the public domain, and this may require them to depend on using key informants. Errors are also incurred when researchers depend on marginal participants, community leaders, or informants who are similar to them. Both participant observation method and focus group methods are used for identifying group norms, gathering opinions about group norms, and discovering variety within a population. This means that, Participant Observation method is applicable in studying issues regarding livelihood of people. For example, in this review, the application of the method helps identify the problems that young children face in poor dieting and how to improve such circumstances and ensure that every person, especially, young people eats a balanced diet. Action Research Action research is a qualitative research method that is used to examine an individual, small group of participants, or a large groups’ action. Researchers gather data about the participants through direct observation, tests, protocols, interviews, collection of writing samples, and examination of records. This method is applicable in real situations, rather than in experimental studies because it primarily focuses on solving a real problem. In addition, research practitioners apply this method with a purpose of enhancing their understanding on the way forward into finding a lasting solution for a poor diet amongst young children. In comparison, action research is pertinent to solving immediate problems as well as gathering some information on people’s opinions regarding a particular issue. The results obtained are pertinent in solving a future problem. Additionally, action research involves less time than focus group method. In this review, this method addresses issues relating to poor food intake. Biographical Research This qualitative research method involves the collection and analysis of an individual’s whole or part of life usually through unstructured and in-depth interviews. This method does not only focus on describing an individual’s lifestyle and achievements, but it also includes description of an individual within the context of life experiences, social connections, and historical events. This method also focuses on determining how people construct narratives about their lives in response to the social setting, during an interview process. Biographical researches help in learning and understanding people’s lifestyles and achievements, and the collected information can be used to influence other people’s lives. For example, organization may demand biographical researches to be conducted on the people the human resource department is planning to hire. The information collected can be used as a basis for establishing a person’s capabilities and experiences. In comparison, biographical researches are used for understanding an individual’s lifestyle and capabilities while focus group methods are used for identifying group norms and gathering opinions about group norms. Additionally, biographical researches are conducting through face-to-face interaction between interviewer and interviewee while focus group focuses on information collected from group interaction. Bibliography Acheson D (1998) Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health: Report. London: The Stationery Office. Alderson P (1990) Consent to children's surgery and intensive medical treatment. Journal of Law and Society 17:52-65. Alderson P (1995) Listening to Children. London: Barnardos. Alderson P (2003) Institutional rites and rights: A century of childhood. Professorial lecture at the Institute of Education, University of London, 4 June. Alderson P, Goodey C (1996) Research with disabled children: how useful in child-centered ethics? Childrenand Society 10:106-116. 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