Relationship between preschool children's neuro-psychological development and family dietary behavior

Objective To analyze the relationship between neuro-psychological development and family dietary behavior of preschool children (38 months-66 months) in urban and rural areas in Xiamen. Method The Ages & Stages Questionnaires:SocialEmotional (ASQ-SE) and a made-up family eating behavior questionnaire were used to evaluate children's neuro-psychological development and their family dietary behavior by parents with the help of trained students from Xiamen University. SPSS 22. 0 software was used to analyze the influencing factors.Results Children whose ASQ-3 value below the dividing value was accounted for 15. 1% (36/239); and whose ASQ-Se value above the dividing value was accounted for 23. 8% (57/239). Linear correlation regression analysis of the result of ASQ-3 and ASQ-Se showed that, children who did better at communication, motor skills and individual-social test got better score in ASQ-Se (P value was 0. 006, 0. 031, 0. 023 respectively). Children who did better at motor skills ate more faster (P=0. 014). Children who played electronic products longer (P< 0. 01), who exercised less (P=0. 014) and whose father had lower educational level (P< 0. 01), had lower score in ASQ-Se.Conclusion Children's neuro-psychological development monitoring by ASQ-3 and ASQ-Se is helpful for early identification of children's stunting or deviation problem, and giving early intervention and special education. Family eating behavior has a significant impact on children's neuro-psychological development. Reducing the use of electronic products, increasing exercise and establishing good eating habits are helpful to improve children's ASQ-3 and ASQ-Se monitoring results, to escort the children's physical and mental health development.