Picky eating behavior and its association with health status among school-age children in Wuhan

Abstract

Objective To investigate the picky eating behavior among school-age children and to analyze its association with their health status, providing scientific basis for health promotion of school-age children in China. Methods A total of 796 students of grade 3 to grade 6 from two primary schools in Hongshan, Wuhan were selected through cluster sampling. Statistical analysis was conducted according to the results of the 3-day food record and questionnaire survey on children and their caregivers. Results In the current study, 40.58% of the children had picky eating problems, the incidence of picky eating behaviors of migrant children was higher than that of local children (χ 2 = 3.92, P <0.05). Most of the picky eaters (23.87%) tended to reject vegetables. Compared to the others, picky eaters had lower intake of vitamin B 2 [(0.49±0.01) (0.46±0.01) mg] and vitamin C [(57.35±0.76)(54.32±0.90) mg] ( t = 2.03, 2.57, P <0.05) and had a higher risk of stunting ( OR = 1.42, P <0.05). Conclusion Picky eating behaviors are common among school-age children, which is significantly associated with stunting. Nutritional education for children (especially migrant children) are urgently needed to improve their dietary structure and promote healthy growth and development. 【摘要】 目的 调查学龄儿童挑食状况及其与健康状况的关系, 为中国学龄儿童的健康促进工作提供科学依据。 方法 采用整群抽样法, 抽取武汉市洪山区2所小学三至六年级的796名学生, 开展为期3d的膳食调查, 同时对儿童及其看护 人进行营养问卷调查, 根据调查结果进行分析。 结果 40.58%的儿童存在挑食问题, 流动儿童与本地儿童间挑食行为报 告率差异有统计学意义 (χ 2 = 3.92, P <0.05), 拒绝蔬菜类食物的儿童最多 (23.87%)。与非挑食者[(0.49±0.01) (57.35± 0.76)mg]相比, 挑食者[(0.46±0.01)(54.32±0.90)mg]维生素 B 2 和维生素C的每天摄人量较低 ( t 值分别为 2.03,2.57, P 值均<0.05), 且挑食者身高发育生长迟缓的发生风险比非挑食者更高 ( OR =1.42, P <0.05)。 结论 挑食行为普遍存在于学 龄儿童中, 且与儿童身高发育迟缓显著相关。亟需针对儿童(特别是流动儿童) 的营养教育活动, 改善中国儿童膳食结构, 促进健康成长。