Knowledge, perceptions and practices of mothers about the role of diet in chronic functional constipation in their children

Abstract

The study verified knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding dietary management of children with chronic functional constipation. Na exploratory, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 21 mothers of children with functional constipation, recruited from social media (Instagram and Facebook). Participants answered a survey form with questions about sociodemographics, knowledge, perception, and practices regarding the management of chronic functional constipation. It was observed that most mothers were between 36 and 40 years old; most of their children were between 1 and 5 years old, and 52.3% were male. Regarding the nutritional status of their children, most were eutrophic, but thinness, overweight, and obesity were also observed. Mothers cooked the foods that the family liked the most; almost all (95.2%) knew about dietary fiber and believed that a balanced diet helps treat constipation. According to the mothers, 80.9% of their children eat well, reporting intake of fruits (80.9%), vegetables (71.4%) and legumes (61.9%). Ultra-processed foods, in the mothers' view, can worsen constipation. Popcorn (23.8%); peanuts (23.8%); granola (42.8%) and beans (47.6%) were the foods that had the lowest consensus as a source of dietary fiber among the mothers. They pointed out grapes, papaya, potatoes, farofa, beans, rice and red meat as foods responsible for "constipating" the intestine. The mothers participating in the study are aware of the role of dietary fiber, however, their knowledge, perceptions and feeding practices regarding the dietary management of constipation in children are wrong.