Abstract

Background and Objectives: Purchase decisions of a household relate to quantity and quality of food needed to lead an active and healthy life is an important indicator for the assessment of food and nutrition security, to identify and characterize the nature of food insecurity. To determine the factors that influence the purchase decisions of those in charge of household purchases. Methods: The population of the present study included, families with preschool and school-age children of both sexes with overweight or obesity in daycare or primary school vulnerable in the 5th region of Chile. A focus group was held and 8 household representatives in charge of food purchases at home participated. Participant ages ranged between 32 and 50 years old Results: The themes of focus group are: who buy foods, frequency, places where the families buy and prioritize health indicators when buying. Participants indicated that the mother usually buy food Participants indicated that they buy food weekly (5/8). Vegetables and fruits were reported to be purchased at the farmers market. Factors influencing food choice for the home were: cost, taste and, as less important, nutritional quality Participants indicated that they did not mind traveling farther distances to find better prices Participants noted that they did not plan In workshops at Primary Care Centres, participants reported that they do not participate, but stated that their choices may be influenced if they attended. Conclusions:The factors that influence food-purchasing decisions for the home of families with preschool and school age children were: cost of food and taste. It is necessary to strengthen strategies of food education that involve the nuclear family.