Indonesia Conference Directory

Evidently 97.7% of children in Indonesia consume less vegetables and fruits but eat more snack and instant drinks. Some of those snacks sometimes contain microbes, additives and harmful substances such as formalin, borax, artificial coloring (Rhodamin B, Methanyl Yellow),flavor enhancer, artificial sweeteners which lead to several illness like typhoid (2.7%), diarrhea (4.9%), hepatitis (1.9%), etc. This study aims to describe the childrens consumption habits of snacks and beverages in Kudus Regency. This study was qualitative research with a phenomenological method. This study was conducted from July to September 2018 in Kudus Regency involving two elementary schools consisting of 12 participants. In-depth interview was conducted to students, teachers, food sellers and parents. The sampling technique used purposive sampling. Triangulation was done, among others, by digging information from students, food sellers,teachers and parents. The result of this study stated that not all children were accustomed to have breakfast and they were not carried packed meal from home. Moreover, Schools did not have healthy canteens and were not used to washing hands cleanly. In fact, the children were not used to eat vegetables and fruit everyday and brought pocket money to buy snacks and beverages at school containing lots of sweeteners, artificial coloring, preservatives, borax, and flavor enhancer and some snacks are eaten using unhealthy sauces and spices. Teachers told the students not to buy unhealthy snacks and beverages, but they kept doing that secretly. Conclusion: the children habits consuming unhealthy snacks and beverages must be immediately eradicated because it had the potential cause to nutritional disorders and health problems such as malnutrition, obesity and typhoid, sore throat, diarrhea etc.