ABSTRACT
This study examined the impact of parental involvement in promoting healthy eating habits among young children in Benin Metropolis. The aim was to find out the impact of parental involvement in promoting healthy eating habits among young children in Benin Metropolis.
To achieve this aims, six research questions were raised. Descriptive research design was adopted for this study. The population of this study consisted of all parents whose wards attend early childhood classes in registered private early childhood care and development centres in Benin metropolis. A sample size of 100 was used. The Instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation.
The findings revealed that parental involvement in nutritional selection foster healthy eating habit among young children, parental involvement in meal planning, good preparation and modelling promote healthy eating to a moderate extent, Transportation to acquiring food options, limited financial resources, access to fresh and nutritious food for children were socio-economic constraint in nutritional selection for promoting healthy eating habits and parental educational attainment influence involvement in promoting healthy eating habits among children. It was therefore recommended amongst others, that government should implement programs that provide financial assistance, subsidies, or vouchers to low-income families, in order to overcome socio cultural constraints to promote healthy eating habits. School and community based food exhibitions should be instituted as a means of promoting healthy behaviours among parents.
