Eating problems and associated factor among 1 873 preschool children in Hefei / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the prevalence of eating problems of preschool children in Hefei and its influencing factors, and to provide references for reducing the occurrence of dietary behavior problems of local children and strengthening the construction of children nutrition clinic in maternal and children health care institutions.@*Methods@#A total of 1 873 children aged 3-6 years in urban and rural areas of Hefei were selected by random cluster sampling. Demographic and eating behavior of the child, as well as caregiver’s feeding behavior were investigated.@*Results@#The study found that 72.77% of children had eating problems. The feeding behavior of feeders and the family environment factors had an impact on children’s eating behavior problems, and the main influencing factors of children’s eating behavior included father’s education level, family economic monthly income level, family members’ eating behavior problems, number of children living together and whether they are the only-child in the family(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The prevalence of eating problems of children aged 3-6 years in Hefei is higher. Family demographic, caregiver feeding behavior, as well as the environment of the family affect children’s eating behavior. Child nutrition clinics, promotion of caregivers’feeding practices could be effective interventions aiming to address eating problems among preschool children.