OBJECTIVE: Analyze the meaning of feeding habits according to the perceptions, experiences and values of mothers whose children and teenagers present functional chronic constipation. METHODS: 17 mothers were interviewed based on a semi-conducted questionnaire about feeding habits. The answers were gathered as following: family environment during meals, difficulties related to the eating habits of the teenager/child, the mothers' attitude regarding food rejection and mothers' knowledge about feeding and its relation to functional chronic constipation. RESULTS: The age of the mothers varied from 20 to 30 years, they had not finished high school and had an income of two to three minimum wages. The following problems aroused from their answers: most of them did not consider sharing meals with their families a pleasant time; financial constrains are the biggest obstacle to feed their children; when their children refuse to eat, most of them adopt strategies to convince them to eat; mothers do have some knowledge about the importance of the intake of different kinds of food to improve their children condition; they believe that certain kinds of food contribute to constipation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite knowing that the diet is important to the treatment of constipation, just a few mothers acknowledge the importance of dietary fiber. Meals are not a pleasant time for the families and financial problems limit the choice of proper food for these children.
constipation; feeding; child
