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- Association between Picky Eating Behavior, Growth, and Dietary Practices in Preschool Children
- Jisun Kim, Sukyoung Kang, Seunghee Kye
- Korean J Community Nutr 2021;26(1):1-11. Published online February 28, 2021
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2021.26.1.1
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Abstract
PDF - Objectives
This study was conducted to assess the eating behavior, growth, and dietary practices of children aged 3~5 years living in the Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 237 mothers of preschool children between April and June 2018. Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age were calculated to determine the children’s growth status. Dietary practices were evaluated using the nutrition quotient for Korean preschoolers (NQ-P). Results: In our study, 29.5% of children were in the eating-small-amounts group, 46.8% of children were in the neophobic behavior group, and 61.2% of children were in the refusal-of-specific food group. Specific foods found to have a high frequency of rejection are listed in descending order as follows: shellfish, soy, mushroom, shrimp, vegetables, milk, eggs, yogurt, seaweed, meat, fruits, and fish. The eating-smallamounts group had lower Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age than the non-picky eaters’ group. Compared to the non-picky eaters' group, the eatingsmall-amounts group of picky eaters had lower scores on the moderation and environment items of the NQ-P, the neophobic behavior group had lower scores on the balance and environment items of the NQ-P, and the refusal-of-specific food group had lower scores on the balance, moderation, and environment items of the NQ-P. Conclusions: Children classified with picky eating behavior had lower growth and development, lower diet diversity, less balanced food intake, and had greater difficulty in abstaining from eating unhealthy foods than non-picky eaters. Therefore, a lot of patience and intensive efforts are needed to encourage children to encounter, experience, and accept unfamiliar food. It is more effective to provide eating behavior guidance by gently encouraging children, than by being strict and forceful. Besides, since the eating behavior of children is influenced maximally by the dietary lifestyle at their homes, it is important to ensure that a healthy dietary lifestyle is maintained at home. -
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Use of food to soothe preschoolers and feeding behaviors of mothers: a qualitative study
Perihan Solmaz, Hatice Başkale
Current Psychology.2024; 43(10): 9355. CrossRef - Assessment of Dietary Characteristics and Eating Behavior in Children Using a Dietary Screening Test
Sun-Im Won
Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life.2024; 34(6): 557. CrossRef
- Use of food to soothe preschoolers and feeding behaviors of mothers: a qualitative study
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- [English]
- Development and Evaluation of Booklets and Video Clips to Prevent Children from Developing Picky Eating
- Sojeong Lee, Seungmin Lee
- Korean J Community Nutr 2020;25(6):451-463. Published online December 31, 2020
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2020.25.6.451
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Abstract
PDF
- Objectives
The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate booklets and video clips to prevent children from picky eating.
Methods
Based on a survey conducted on food preferences of preschool children aged 2 to 5 years, 14 kinds of less preferred vegetables were selected. Accordingly, educational videos, activity books, and teaching-learning guides were produced for preschool children using the 'food bridge' theory, and the educational materials were named “Friendly vegetables”. Educational materials were distributed to childcare institutions, and their effectiveness was investigated for preschool children who were instructed on these materials once every 30 days from March to November, 2019. The children were examined for changes in their knowledge of names, colors, taste/texture, methods of cultivation, and preferences for vegetables before and after the instructional course.
Results
The awareness of vegetables increased significantly in younger children and the picky eating group. When the assessment was carried out in terms of vegetable knowledge, it was observed that the younger the age or the pickier the in eating food, the more effective the education is compared to the counter part. The preference for vegetables also increased after the instruction compared to the pre-instruction period, but significant changes were seen only in the 2~3 year age group for boys and girls. Also, only the picky group of girls showed changes in preference. The children's average interest in the education materials was 3.85 points out of 5 points.
Conclusions
Through this study, we have developed educational materials for standalone use in childcare facilities and confirmed that they have a significant effect on improving awareness and preferences related to vegetables. In summary, the younger the age or the pickier the child in eating food, the more effective the education. It is believed that additional education on mealtime guidance is needed which can alter the eating behavior of preschool children and improve their diet. It is proposed to widen the scope of use of the materials by collecting diverse opinions from child care teachers.
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