The Association between Parental Characteristics and Dietary Habits of Early Childhood

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the association between the dietary habits of early childhood and various factors of their parent and child. Methods: The study subjects were 1,506 parents whose child participated in health promotion program for child of a public health center, G Metropolitan city. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaire which composed of socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits of early childhood and parent's attitude for their child's health and nutrition. The used statistical analyses were chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Mean ages of children were 6.4 0.7 years. The rates of having a breakfast daily, less ± drinking of carbonated beverage and less eating of fast food among children were 63.4%, 30.9% and 74.2%, respectively. In multiple logistic regression, children s age, mother's occupation, con ' cerns for child s health, concerns for nutritional balance of child's meals and identification of food ' labels were significantly associated with having breakfast daily. And concerns for nutritional balance of child's meals and identification of food labels were significantly associated with less drinking of carbonated beverage. Finally identification of food labels was significantly associated with less eating of fast food. Conclusions: Interest in children s health status, considering the nutrition balance for children's ' meals and reading the food labels on the food were associated with children s dietary habits. There ' fore these results should be considered in nutrition education programs for children s dietary habits. '