|
ISSN 0973 - 0958
Young children's dietary habits and associations
| Follow Us : |  |
 |
 |
NUTRITION IN CHILDREN
YOUNG CHILDREN'S DIETARY HABITS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE MOTHERS NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES
Source: Appetite. 2010 Feb;54(1):44-51.
Healthy eating habits in childhood are important because they help prevent undernutrition, growth retardation, and acute child-nutrition problems, in addition to preventing chronic, long-term health problems, such as obesity, coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and stroke. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess the dietary habits in preschool children and to investigate associations of these habits with both sociodemographic characteristics and the mother's nutritional knowledge and attitudes.
Forty-six schools, with a total of 56 campuses, agreed to participate. Within these schools, 862 parents of children in the first preprimary grade were asked to fill in a questionnaire containing a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), sociodemographic characteristics, and a nutritional knowledge-and-attitude questionnaire. Parents education was categorized into high (bachelor's or master's degree), medium (technical or general education) and low (less than technical) levels. Occupation-level classifications were based on the International Standard Classification of Occupation (ISCO) as follows: high = managers and professionals (ISCO 1-2); intermediate = technicians, clerks, and service workers (ISCO 3-5); and low = skilled and unskilled workers (ISCO 6-9). The FFQ items were aggregated into 24 food groups.
Results: Most children (92%) lived in a traditional family, with 8% in a single or reconstituted family; 54% of the mothers and 44% of the fathers had at least a bachelor's degree; 23% of the mothers and 31% of the fathers had a technical or general degree, and 23% of the mothers and 26% of the fathers had a vocational level or less; 20% of the mothers were classified into the high-occupation category, 58% were in the medium category, 11% belonged to the low-level occupation group, and 11% were not working women. Among all the mothers, 25% agreed that healthy food is less tasty; 51% agreed that it was an extra workload whereas 56% considered healthy food as more expensive, of which 26% did find it more expensive. Twenty nine percent of mothers generally read the food labels before buying a food item. Regression analysis showed a lower dietary adequacy in children of mothers with low and medium level of education, medium-ranked occupation, and lower levels of both nutritional knowledge and food-related health attitude. It was found that many preschoolers did not meet the dietary guidelines for most food groups, highlighting the importance of enhancing interventions to promote healthy eating in this age group.
Conclusion: The authors conclude that there is a need to improve the food habits of preschoolers. The associations of the dietary adequacy with sociodemographic background can help practitioners to develop better-tailored nutrition interventions.
Healthy eating habits in childhood are important because they help prevent undernutrition, growth retardation, and acute child-nutrition problems, in addition to preventing chronic, long-term health problems, such as obesity, coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and stroke. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess the dietary habits in preschool children and to investigate associations of these habits with both sociodemographic characteristics and the mother's nutritional knowledge and attitudes.
Forty-six schools, with a total of 56 campuses, agreed to participate. Within these schools, 862 parents of children in the first preprimary grade were asked to fill in a questionnaire containing a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), sociodemographic characteristics, and a nutritional knowledge-and-attitude questionnaire. Parents education was categorized into high (bachelor's or master's degree), medium (technical or general education) and low (less than technical) levels. Occupation-level classifications were based on the International Standard Classification of Occupation (ISCO) as follows: high = managers and professionals (ISCO 1-2); intermediate = technicians, clerks, and service workers (ISCO 3-5); and low = skilled and unskilled workers (ISCO 6-9). The FFQ items were aggregated into 24 food groups.
Results: Most children (92%) lived in a traditional family, with 8% in a single or reconstituted family; 54% of the mothers and 44% of the fathers had at least a bachelor's degree; 23% of the mothers and 31% of the fathers had a technical or general degree, and 23% of the mothers and 26% of the fathers had a vocational level or less; 20% of the mothers were classified into the high-occupation category, 58% were in the medium category, 11% belonged to the low-level occupation group, and 11% were not working women. Among all the mothers, 25% agreed that healthy food is less tasty; 51% agreed that it was an extra workload whereas 56% considered healthy food as more expensive, of which 26% did find it more expensive. Twenty nine percent of mothers generally read the food labels before buying a food item. Regression analysis showed a lower dietary adequacy in children of mothers with low and medium level of education, medium-ranked occupation, and lower levels of both nutritional knowledge and food-related health attitude. It was found that many preschoolers did not meet the dietary guidelines for most food groups, highlighting the importance of enhancing interventions to promote healthy eating in this age group.
Conclusion: The authors conclude that there is a need to improve the food habits of preschoolers. The associations of the dietary adequacy with sociodemographic background can help practitioners to develop better-tailored nutrition interventions.
Partner Sites
Disclaimer:
The information given by www.pediatriconcall.com is provided by medical and paramedical & Health providers voluntarily for display & is meant only for informational purpose. The site does not guarantee the accuracy or authenticity of the information. Use of any information is solely at the user's own risk. The appearance of advertisement or product information in the various section in the website does not constitute an endorsement or approval by Pediatric Oncall of the quality or value of the said product or of claims made by its manufacturer.
copyright ©2011 website design & development by Levioza
