Investigation on dietary behavior of children aged 3-6 years old and feeding behavior of their caregivers in 5 urban areas of China

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of dietary behavior of children aged 3-6 years and feeding behavior of their caregivers in 5 urban areas of China, so as to provide theoretical evidence for improving children' s dietary behavior, modifying caregivers' incorrect feeding behavior, and formulating scientific and effective nutritional intervention measures.MethodsMultistage cluster random sampling was used to recruit 1 741 children aged 3-6 and their parents in five urban areas of China from July 2019 to December 2020. Questionnaire survey was used to collect and analysis the information on children' s dietary behavior and caregivers' feeding behavior.ResultsThe main problems of dietary behavior among children aged 3-< 4 years old, 4-< 5 years old and 5-6 years old were only eating their favorite food(according for 40. 73%, 47. 04% and 43. 79%, respectively), and refusing to try food they didn' t like(according for 40. 56%, 39. 50% and 42. 16%, respectively). The main problems of feeding behavior among 3-< 4 years old, 4-< 5 years old and 5-6 years old children's caregivers were food selection and cooking seldom consulting their children opinions(according for 37. 94%, 28. 19% and 23. 69%, respectively), and letting children eat more food(according for 22. 55%, 24. 06% and 27. 45%, respectively).ConclusionThe prevalence of dietary behavior problems of children aged 3-6 years old and feeding behavior problems of their caregivers in five urban areas of China is high. Therefore, targeted scientific feeding guidance should be strengthened to help children establish good eating habits and actively improve children's nutritional status.