OBJECTIVE: To study the perception of parents, guardians and recreators on different graphic representations of food guides for young children aged two to three years. METHODS: Qualitative research with the participation of six recreators and 12 parents/guardians of young children aged two to three years in a public day care center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Five graphic representations of nutritional concepts (circle, pyramid, rainbow, little train and plate) were shown to these adults. Then, they were questioned about food group knowledge, concepts of nutrition (proportionality, moderation and variety), healthy eating habits. After this step, they were supposed to point out the best icon to represent healthy eating habits. Analysis of the content was performed. RESULTS: Most of the parents/guardians (92%) understood well the concept of food groups as they reported that food guides were divided by foods and grouped according to nutrients. They understood the concept of proportionality/moderation; however, the hierarchic format of the pyramid led them to misinterpretation: they pointed the food groups at the top as the most important ones. Participants remarked the importance of including all food groups in the diet, but the concept of intragroup variety was only understood by two participants. Adults chose the circle as the best graphic representation for a healthy nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The elaboration of a food guide should take into consideration the comprehension of nutritional concepts by individuals in order to achieve the goals proposed.
child; nutrition; child nutritional sciences
