Assessment of Processed Meat Consumption in Children (6 -10 Years Old): Sample of an Elementary School in Istanbul, Turkey

ABSTRACT Introduction: Processed meat has undesirable effects on overall diet quality especially in children and adolescents because the high consumption could increase the prevalence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This study was carried out to evaluate the processed meat consumption of children (between 6-10 ages) and to observe their parents' attitudes on processed meat consumption and purchasing. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 297 children in the 1st to 4th classes of an elementary school in İstanbul and their parents. Children processed meat consumption and parents’ opinion about processed meat, attitudes during shopping were analyzed. Chi-square, Spearman correlation, Kruskal Wallis (Tamhane) analyses were applied with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results were assessed in 95% confidence interval (CI) and p < 0.05 significance level. Results: The first parents’ attitude during shopping was analyzed expiration date. The price tag on the package was the last attitude. Body Mass Index (BMI) of children and processed meat consumption wasn’t related statistically (p>0.05), but increasing age was statistically related to higher processed meat consumption (p<0.05). Parents of children who believe in the adverse effect of processed meat consumed less (p<0.05). Conclusions: Most of the parents decreased processed meat consumption because of its adverse health effect. Parents prepared lunch boxes and preferred homemade food for their children. While the educational level of parents decreased, the amount of processed meat consumption of children increased.