Factors Associated with Picky Eating among Public Pre-school Children in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan

Lok, Li Xin (2021) Factors Associated with Picky Eating among Public Pre-school Children in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPSK6 2021 29.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

Picky eating among children is often associated with inappropriate growth in childhood and may lead to adult eating disorders in later life. This study aimed to determine the association between socio-demography, anthropometry, maternal characteristics and home environment and picky eating among pre-school children. Mothers of the pre-school-aged children (n=228) completed an online questionnaire. Socio-demography, anthropometric measurements and all questionnaires were self-reported. Family meal routine and feeding practice were measured using Family Ritual Questionnaire and Child Feeding Questionnaire. Picky eating was assessed using two subscales from the Oregon Research Institute Child Eating Behavior Inventory. SPSS version 25 with significance level set at p<0.05 and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyse the data. The majority of the children were Malays (82%) and girls (51.3%). Most of the children had a normal BMI-for-age z-score (89.5%), while a small percentage was wasted (0.4%). The mean maternal age and income were 33.21±4.37 years and RM1080.30±101.00. The percentages of the mothers’ BMI underweight, normal, overweight and obese were 1.8%, 38.6%, 34.2% and 24.1% respectively. The means of family meal routine and television during mealtime were 11.93±3.78 and 2.07±1.08, respectively. The highest score of feeding practice domains was restriction (22.39±5.78), followed by pressure to eat (11.82±3.28) and responsibility (9.43 ± 2.29). The pickiness and refusal subscales of picky eating had means of 11.79±4.70 and 6.48±6.02, respectively. Household income (r=0.145, p=0.029) was significantly associated with the refusal subscale of picky eating. Maternal age (r=-0.138, p=0.037), parent perceived weight (r=0.180, p=0.006) and monitoring (r=0.153, p=0.020) factors of feeding practice were significantly associated with the pickiness subscale of picky eating. In conclusion, household income, maternal age, parent's perceived weight and monitoring are important contributing factors to picky eating among preschool-aged children.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Khoirul Asrimi Md Nor
Date Deposited:	21 Aug 2023 04:34
Last Modified:	21 Aug 2023 04:34
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/943

Actions (login required)

View Item