Percepciones maternas sobre las prácticas alimentarias en escolares de Monterrey, México

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore maternal perceptions of the feeding practices of school-age children with different nutritional status living in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out, through semi-structured interviews with 91 mothers with a child between 6 and 11 years of age, during the years 2015 and 2017. The results evidenced that mothers were responsible for purchasing and preparing meals even when they had a job. For food preparation, mothers cooked according to the tastes of the family, this being a way of expressing her affection. Mothers’ emotions regarding food acceptance, tastes, rejections and the number of daily meals of children varied depending on the nutritional status. Eating on weekdays was different from eating on weekends. Food practices were part of events and social meanings learned by mothers and are not always in accordance with the nutritional canons established by experts.