Children’s insights into nutritional culture and habits in Abu Dhabi

Introduction The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has identified childhood obesity as a significant public health concern. Designing targeted interventions to promote healthy eating habits in early childhood requires an understanding of the food preferences and norms within this age group. The present study aimed to describe the unique food culture and influences among schoolchildren in Abu Dhabi Emirate (AD), UAE. Methods We conducted a qualitative study based on the grounded theory approach. Eleven bilingual focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted involving 64 children from nursery to grade school (aged 4–8 years) based on theoretical sampling. The transcripts were axial coded iteratively by multiple researchers. Results Four themes emerged from the FGDs with the children. First, children’s awareness of healthy food begins early in nursery school and is reinforced by their teachers and peers. Second, school lunchbox norms and food policies strongly influenced children’s food choices. Third, school food choice is heavily influenced by preparation time. Fourth, cultural norms around food aesthetics limit many healthy food options. Discussion School food culture and practices in early childhood are constantly influenced by various systems, including family, school, peers, and the community. These systems significantly impact children’s food preferences, awareness of healthy eating, and ultimately their school food habits. Understanding these interconnected systems are crucial for creating supportive environments that foster healthy food habits during early childhood in AD and the UAE as a whole.