Association between family structure and food group intake in children (1019.26)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of family structure on food group intake of children. Household information and single 24‐hour recall dietary intake data of a total of 3,412 children aged from 3 to 18 years were obtained from 2010‐2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Family structure was classified into 3 groups (Living with both parents, H1; Living with one parent, H2; Living without parent, H3). Score of each food group was calculated from percent adherence to the recommended servings of the Korean Food Guidance System. ‘Food group score’ was average score of ‘Grains’, ‘Meat, fish, eggs and beans’, ‘Vegetables’, ‘Fruits’ and ‘Milk and dairy’ scores. Juice and ice cream were excluded from ‘Fruits’ and ‘Milk and dairy’ groups respectively. Generalized linear model and multiple‐regression model were used to analyze the association between family structure and children’s food group intake. H1 had higher scores than H3 in ‘Grains’ and ‘Meat, fish, eggs and beans’ groups (p<0.05). H1 had higher ‘Fruits’ and ‘Milk and dairy’ scores and ‘Food group scores’ than H2 and H3 (p<0.05). Family structure was associated with ‘Meat, fish, eggs and beans’, ‘Fruits’ and ‘Milk and dairy’ scores and ‘Food group scores’ (p<0.05). This study suggests that family structure builds a food environment which has an impact on children’s food group intake.