Study on the correlation between nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes of guardians, and nutritional status of infants and toddlers - Nutrition-Plus program in Jeonju / 한국영양학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify the nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes of guardians, and nutritional status of infants and toddlers as well as the relationships between these variables. METHODS: The participants were selected among applicants for low-income family financing provided by the government and included 115 infants and toddlers as well as their guardians. Demographic data, nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and nutrition intakes were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, biochemical examination, and 24 Hour-Recall method. RESULTS: The score for guardians' nutrition knowledge was 12.97 points of a possible 15, and the score for dietary attitudes was 53.38 points of a possible 75. The nutrition knowledge and dietary attitudes showed significant differences by education level (p < 0.05) and family structure (p < 0.05). Energy intakes of subjects aged 6 ~ 24 months and over 25 months were lower than the DRI for Koreans. The intakes of carbohydrates, protein, and fat of subjects aged 6 ~ 24 months and over 25 months showed no significant differences by level of nutrition knowledge or dietary attitudes. The intake of Ca of subjects aged over 12 months showed significant differences by level of nutrition knowledge (p < 0.05). The intakes of Thiamin of subjects aged 6 ~ 11 months and P of subjects aged over 12 months showed significant differences by level of dietary attitudes (p < 0.05). There was a small positive correlation between education level and nutrition knowledge as well as between dietary attitudes. Nutrition knowledge showed a positive correlation with dietary attitudes. There was a positive correlation between nutrition knowledge and Ca, Riboflavin, as well as Vit C levels. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it is necessary to consider an educational program for increasing the practical application of knowledge to nutrition management for improvement of nutrition intake in infants and toddlers.