Prevalence Of Eating Problems Research Articles

Prevalence of children's eating problems among 1 to 7 years old and its correlation with their physical development

Objective To investigate the eating problems of outpatient infants, preschool age children(1 to 7 years old) enrolled in the Department of Child Health Care, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, and to analyze its correlation with children's physical development, so as to establish strategies for preventing abnormal eating habit in children. Methods A toll of 2 458 children met the criteria, and caregivers(mothers) completed the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaires(CEBQ) in Department of Child Health Care, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were selected and the children's sociodemographic data and the morbidity of children eating problems were investigated.The correlation between children's body mass index(BMI) with children's eating problems was determined by using Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis. Results About 66.2%(1 627/2 458 cases) had normal weight, and 10.8%(257/2 458 cases) and 8.5%(210/2 458 cases) were overweight(BMI>P85-P95) or obese(BMI≥P95), respectively.The prevalence of eating behavior problems was detected during 25-36 months.For 1-to-7-year-old children, the highest detection rate of eating problems was inattention and eating at non-permanent locations, occupying 64.7% (1 590/2 458 cases) and 50.5%(1 241/2 458 cases), respectively; the prevalence rate of preferring to junk food was the lowest, accounting for 19.3%(474/2 458 cases). The children's eating problems had a high association with the children's BMI.Among them, children with eating problems, such as difficultly in accepting the varying food stuff[at the age of 12 month, odds ratio(OR)=11.50, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.84-72.16] and eating at non-permanent locations( at 25-36 month, OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.11-2.83), were prone to be wasting away; children with eating problems, such as preferring to junk food(at 12 month, OR=5.08, 95%CI: 1.43-18.00; 13-18 month, OR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.06-4.44), rarely eating vegetables or fruit (19-24 month, OR=4.06, 95%CI: 1.46-11.31) and inattention(12 month, OR=3.85, 95%CI: 1.52-9.79), were associated with overweight or obesity(all P<0.01). Conclusions There was a high prevalence of eating problems in children between 12-84 month(1-7 years old) in Nanjing.Improper children's eating behaviors can increase the risks of wasting away or children's overweight /obesity. Key words: Eating problems; Child; Obesity; Wasting; Body mass index

Comorbidity between lifetime eating problems and mood and anxiety disorders: results from the Canadian Community Health Survey of Mental Health and Well-being.

This study was to examine profiles of eating problems (EPs), mood and anxiety disorders and their comorbidities; explore risk patterns for these disorders; and document differences in health service utilization in a national population. Data were from the Canadian Community Health Survey of Mental Health and Well-being. The lifetime prevalence of EPs was 1.70% among Canadians, compared with 13.25% for mood disorder, 11.27% for anxiety disorder and 20.16% for any mood or anxiety disorder. Almost half of those with EPs also suffered with mood or anxiety disorders. A similar pattern in depressive symptoms was found among individuals with major depression and EPs, but individuals with EPs reported fewer symptoms. Factors associated with the comorbidity of EPs and mood and anxiety disorders were identified. Individuals with EPs reported more unmet needs. Patients with EPs should be concomitantly investigated for mood and anxiety disorders, as similar interventions may be effective for both.

Eating problems among children with Down syndrome

Proper nutrition plays an important role in physical and cognitive development of children. The early diagnosis and treatment of eating problems is very important. This study aimed to survey eating problems of children with Down syndrome. In this descriptive-analytic study, an eating problem test used to survey eating problems of children with Down syndrome in exceptional schools. The findings of the study indicated a high prevalence of eating problems in children with Down syndrome. Difficulty in eating skills such as chewing and swallowing in these children were more prevalent (80%). Exact assessment of eating problems of children is very important.

Eating Problems and Overlap with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Nationwide Twin Study of 9‐ and 12‐Year‐Old Children

Aim. To establish the prevalence of restrictive eating problems, the overlap and association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to estimate the heritability of eating problems in a general population sample of twins aged 9 and 12. Methods. Parents of all Swedish 9- and 12-year-old twin pairs born between 1993 and 1998 (n = 12,366) were interviewed regarding symptoms of ADHD, ASD, and eating problems (EAT-P). Intraclass correlations and structural equation modelling were used for evaluating the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Cross-twin, cross-trait correlations were used to indicate a possible overlap between conditions. Results. The prevalence of eating problems was 0.6% in the study population and was significantly higher in children with ADHD and/or ASD. Among children with eating problems, 40% were screened positive for ADHD and/or ASD. Social interaction problems were strongly associated with EAT-P in girls, and impulsivity and activity problems with EAT-P in boys. The cross-twin, cross-trait correlations suggested low correlations between EAT-P and ADHD or EAT-P and ASD. Genetic effects accounted for 44% of the variation in liability for eating problems. Conclusions. In the group with eating problems, there was a clear overrepresentation of individuals with ADHD and/or ASD symptoms.