Toybox Study Malaysia: A Qualitative Study on Snacking and Drinking Habits among Kindergarten Teachers in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Background/Aims: Continuous snacking and over-consumption of sweetened drinks have been linked to increased rates of obesity in children. Thus, it is important to instill healthy eating behavior from a young age. This study aimed to explore snacking and drinking habits of kindergarten teachers. Methods: Two focus group discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted with fourteen teachers of selected kindergartens in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. The sessions were facilitated by a trained moderator using a semistructured interview guide and were audio-recorded, and notes were taken by a rapporteur. The data were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed by at least two researchers and verified by senior team members. Results: Majority of teachers occasionally consumed snack food with the children and these foods were often served during morning break time at the kindergartens. The teachers were aware that sweetened drinks are not good for health, and of the benefits of drinking plenty of water. Most teachers drink plain water, but some prefer to drink sweetened or flavored drinks at tea time. Plain water consumption ranged between 500 ml to 3 L daily, and plain water was usually brought from home. Conclusion: The findings showed that teachers have good snacking and drinking habits, and could become good role models to the children in kindergarten.