Interventions in eating behavior among schoolchildren: a behavior modification perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32870/jbf.v5i10.101Keywords:
hábitos alimentario, intervención escolar, modificación de la conducta, reforzamiento, nutrición infantilAbstract
The prevalence of childhood obesity and unhealthy eating habits among schoolchildren has become a critical public health issue. Given the significant time children spend at school and the school's influence on child behavior, the school setting is a strategic venue for implementing interventions to promote healthy eating habits. To date, educational and socio-cognitive approaches have predominated, but their impact on actual eating behavior change has been limited. This perspective article proposes the behavior modification approach as an alternative and complementary strategy to intervene in schoolchildren’s eating habits. We discuss its theoretical foundations and commonly used behavioral techniques, and provide a critical review of previous school-based interventions. We also offer recommendations for designing future behavioral interventions in schools, highlighting technical criteria, adaptation to context and culture, long-term sustainability, and ethical considerations. Finally, we reflect on current gaps (such as technical reductionism and lack of contextual focus) and opportunities to more effectively and critically integrate this approach in the promotion of child nutrition.
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