Sociodemographic variables affecting caregivers’ attitudes towards the provision of healthy breakfast and lunchboxes to children in their care

Abstract

Objective: A study was undertaken to determine the sociodemographic variables (SDV) and caregivers’ attitudes that impact on healthy eating and the provision of healthy breakfast and school lunchboxes.

Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study using self-administered questionnaires.

Setting: Participating Quintile 5 primary schools in Bloemfontein, South Africa (SA).

Participants: Caregivers of learners, aged 6–12 years (N = 1 286).

Main outcome measures: To determine associations between sociodemographic variables (SDV) and attitudes towards the provision of healthy breakfast and lunchbox foods.

Analysis: Wilcoxon two-sample test for unpaired data or the chi-square test to compare groups. A p-value of <0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results: Caregivers with higher income and those living with a life partner were more likely to perceive healthy food as being more expensive than less  healthy food (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) and were of the opinion that preparing lunchboxes increased their workload (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01,  respectively). Caregivers with lower income had a less positive attitude towards healthy eating habits (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Caregivers mostly had a positive attitude towards providing healthy breakfast and lunchbox foods. Discrepancies between caregivers’  perception of preparation time and cost of healthy food, and the provision of healthy food to learners, were observed.