Abstract
A growing body of evidence from Western countries shows that the presence of children in households is associated with the dietary intake of adults, but little is known about this relationship in non-Western countries with different food cultures. Our aim was to examine whether dietary intake was different with respect to the presence of young children in the home among Japanese married women. Subjects were Japanese married women (aged 23-44 years) living with children aged less than 5 years (n 73) and married women who did not have children (n 85). Data regarding habitual dietary intake were obtained using a validated, self-administered diet history questionnaire. A cross-sectional comparison between women with young children and women without children was conducted using ANCOVA adjusted for potential confounding factors. Women with young children had a significantly greater intake of protein, carbohydrates, Na, Zn and Cu than did women without children. Intake of cereals, pulses and sugar was significantly higher among mothers than among non-mothers. Intake of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages was significantly higher among non-mothers than among mothers. Thus, the presence of young children at home might influence women's intake of macronutrients and some minerals, especially Na, and beverages among Japanese married women. Our findings suggest that effective dietary interventions among Japanese mothers with young children may differ from those of married women without children.
Highlights
A growing body of evidence from Western countries shows that the presence of children in households is associated with the dietary intake of adults, but little is known about this relationship in non-Western countries with different food cultures
There have been mixed results reported regarding the association between the presence of children in a household and the dietary intake of adults; despite a stronger association between dietary intake in children and their parents being observed in countries other than European countries and the USA[5], we are unaware of any comparable research reported in Asian countries, including Japan, where the food culture is quite different from that of Western countries
The objective of this study was to characterise the difference in dietary intake profiles of married women with children younger than 5 years old and married women without children, in Japan
Summary
A growing body of evidence from Western countries shows that the presence of children in households is associated with the dietary intake of adults, but little is known about this relationship in non-Western countries with different food cultures. US mothers reported greater intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, total energy and saturated fat than non-mothers[12] In another US study, the presence of children in the household was associated with significantly higher total and saturated fat intake among adults[13]. A Canadian study showed that first-time mothers decreased their fruit intake[21], while an Australian study reported that women starting a new family increased their energy intake and consumption of high-fat foods, sugar, fruit and cooked vegetables[22]. There have been mixed results reported regarding the association between the presence of children in a household and the dietary intake of adults; despite a stronger association between dietary intake in children and their parents being observed in countries other than European countries and the USA[5], we are unaware of any comparable research reported in Asian countries, including Japan, where the food culture is quite different from that of Western countries. There have been few reports on whether the presence of children influences overall nutrient intake, specific nutrients, in married women
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
