Factors Influencing Picky Eating Habits and Their Relationship to the Nutritional Status of Pre-School Aged Children at Bimba Aiueo

Abstract

Picky eating is a problem of eating habits that mainly occurs in preschool-aged children. This condition is characterized by behavior that limits food choices, shows solid preferences for food, does not want to try new foods, and rejects certain food groups. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence picky eating habits and the relationship between picky eating habits and the nutritional status of the subjects. This study used a cross-sectional model carried out in several AIUEO biMBA tutoring units. The research subjects were 62, representing 32 picky eater subjects and 30 non-picky eater subjects. The analysis showed that most of the subjects in both groups had normal nutritional status (0.04 ± 1.27 kg/m2), and the level of nutritional adequacy was mainly in the normal category. The results of the Spearman rank correlation test showed no significant relationship between picky eating habits and nutritional status BMI/U z-score (p>0.05). Variable mothers' eating habits (p=0.004, r=0.360), history of exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.018, r=0.300) and history of complementary feeding (p=0.03, r=0.276) showed a positive correlation with children's eating habits. Regression analysis showed that the mother's eating habits, history of exclusive breastfeeding and history of MP-ASI simultaneously/together significantly affected children's eating habits by 18.8% (p = 0.007, r2 = 0.188). Mothers' eating habits (SE value = 9.8%) have a more dominant influence on children's eating habits compared to the history of exclusive breastfeeding (SE value = 6.42%) and MP-ASI history (SE value = 2.51%).