Método Delphi para buscar consenso sobre metodologías educativas en alimentación saludable para alumnos de tercero a quinto año básico, sus familias y profesores

Abstract

Objective: To know nutrition, education and gastronomic expert opinion to get consensus about education methodologies in healthy food topics for third to fifth school-age children, their parents and teachers, with the Delphi method.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed with the results of surveys and focus groups in children, parents and teachers made previously. The questionnaire was mailed to 51 experts in nutrition, education and gastronomic in a first round. The results were analyzed and forwarded in a second round with the subjects without consensus, with 38 experts answering the questionnaire.

Results: Food habits can be modified at school with cooking workshops with chefs or monitors in an experiential learning and with school gardens. Parents and teachers should have cooking skills to educate children in healthy food. Children should do a rational management of their money at school buying healthy food. For this purpose it is necessary to change the food offered by the kiosk or remove the kiosk if is non healthy. Teachers should be trained in self-care and healthy lifestyles and they should educate children with education materials, cooking workshops with recipes, taking advantage of breakfast and lunch time for education activities. Parents should participate in workshops learning about healthy food choices and how to prepare healthy menus. Children should learn very simple culinary skills, preparing and tasting healthy food.

Conclusions: These results are critical to design educational materials on healthy eating plans to change current eating habits