Nutrition knowledge of primary schoolchildren in Poland from the parents’ perspective based on qualitative studies

Unhealthy nutrition among schoolchildren causes different diseases during childhood and later life, and the nutrition habits created in this period will continue in the future life. The aim of this study was to estimate schoolchildren's food and nutrition knowledge based on parents' opinions collected during qualitative research conducted using the Focus Group Interview (FGI) technique among 49 parents of primary school pupils from the capital city of Poland-Warsaw. Based on these findings, it was concluded that nutrition education for school children is needed because of the current lack of appropriate knowledge in both children and their parents, especially in practical aspects. Nutrition education is necessary to change pupils' attitudes toward food and nutrition, especially their nutritional behavior and responsible food choices. For this purpose, traditional and modern IT and telecommunications tools can be used; however, it should be noted that they must be used under adult supervision to understand better the different aspects of proper nutrition and food choices and to distinguish advertising from nutrition knowledge. The results provide a theoretical basis for undertaking intervention measures based on the family and school. It is important to underline that nutrition education at home, the equal institution in terms of importance within formulating proper attitudes toward food and nutrition as well other kinds of social behavior as school, can be realized during everyday activities connected with meal preparations.