Childhood and eating habits: a bioethical study on vulnerability and risk

Abstract This is a qualitative, exploratory, and cross-sectional field study, developed with parents of students from two schools in cities located in the South of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, totaling 27 participants. The participants answered questionnaires in a workshop and attended an informational lecture. We sought to evidence the effects of the food industry on children’s diets, as Brazil is experiencing a significant increase in overweight, obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases in childhood. It became clear that advertising takes advantage of the vulnerability and lack of knowledge of parents and guardians by influencing their choices. To address this problem, the article discusses the need to protect the population by nutrition education, laws, and regulations.