Isabel Cristina Bento and Luciana Martins Gaudio Frontzek
Childhood obesity has been dramatically increasing worldwide along the past three decades and has become a major public health issue in Brazil [1]. Children feeding, especially from 2 to 5 years old, is directly related to their growth and development and also to the formation of their eating habits [2]. Thus, eating adequately can prevent malnutrition and excess weight, which may evolve into obesity and its comorbidities. Also were noted, alongside with weight gain, lower quality of life and a higher cost load for healthcare services Based on the knowledge of children's food intake, it is possible to understand the habits installed in our culture and from there, start planning actions that promote positive changes in eating behaviour in childhood, a phase in which consumption habits are still being acquired and consolidated [3]. Literature on child nutrition shows that children's eating behaviour is determined in a first instance, by the family, of which the child is dependent on and, secondarily, by other psychosocial and cultural interactions, i.e., the environment where they live. Therefore, food selection is part of a more complex behavioural system that is determined upon the child, first of all by their parents [3].
