Food Habits and Meal Patterns of Preschool Children in Military Families

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To describe the food habits and meal patterns of military families with preschool children. Preschool is an important time for the formation of long term food habits and meal patterns. These habits formed within the context of the family can be expected to affect the long-term health and nutrition of the child. This study utilized a mailed survey sent to a world-wide stratified random sample of military parents of 3–5 year old children. Responses were received from 4512 families. Results indicate that significant differences in cooking and shopping habits are related to geographic location (i.e., inside or outside the continental US), rank (officer, senior enlisted or junior enlisted), whether both parents were working, and to which service the military member belongs. While 96% of the children were eating dinner at least 6 times per week, only 88% were eating breakfast that often. Number of meals eaten per week was significantly different between families of officers and enlisted. Number of meals eaten at home was related to rank of parent, attendance at day care or preschool, and eligibility for Sure Start or Head Start. Changes in food habits when the military member was away were also examined. Many of the families (49%) ate more packaged items with significant differences found between ranks; others ate out at fast food restaurants more often (33%). Families in the Air Force ate out significantly more often, while families that lived outside the continental US ate out significantly less often. Additionally, 28% reported that their eating habits did not change while the service member was away. Other significant relationships and correlations between food habits, health and nutrition variables will be discussed. Knowledge of current food habits is essential for dietetic practitioners and policy makers so that they can impact the health and nutrition of families with preschool aged children.