The Unhealthy Eating Behaviors Status And Intervention Among Urban Preschool Children

Objective:To investigate the association between eating behaviors (eating speed and energy intake of main meals) and overweight in urban preschool children.Method:Subjects were preschool children from seven kindergartens in Beijing.1138children (age range3.1-6.7years old) from seven kindergartens participated in the study. Data consisted of measurements (height and weight), questionnaire information (eating behaviors of eating speed and overeating), and on-site observation data (meal duration and energy intake of main meals).Results:The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of overweight in participants with parent-reported "more than needed food intake" was3.02(95%CI:2.06to4.44) compared with the "medium food intake" participants, and higher eating speed was associated with childhood overweight. For the two observed eating behaviors, excess energy intake and portions of foods were associated with overweight, and more time spending on meals was found to be a protective factor against childhood overweight.Conclusions:Eating speed and excess energy intake of main meals are associated with overweight in preschool children. Objective:To intervene the unhealthy eating behaviors in urban preschool children, and evaluate the effect of the intervention.Method:Subjects from seven kindergartens participated in the study. The seven kindergartens were randomized into card-intervention group, regular intervention group and control group. We used colorful child behavior card and leaflets designed based on behavior modification theory to modify children and family’s unhealthy behaviors in the card-intervention group. We used poster presentations and made some regular education in the regular intervention group. The intervention lasted for four months from the beginning of March,2010, to the end of June,2010.Results:There were significant benefits in the card-intervention group in reported western-style fast food, sugar-sweetened beverages and fried food consumption (P<0.001). Only the frequency of eating fried food was reduced in the regular intervention group and control group. The behaviors of inspiring their child with unhealthy food were reduced in the card-intervention group and regular intervention group (p<0.05), which was not changed in the control group (p>0.05). The frequency of eating unhealthy food was reduced in the card-intervention group as time goes by. The intervention was low costing on a population-based scale, and was well accepted by the children, parents and kindergartens.Conclusions:Intervention children and parents reported high program satisfaction and that they had made changes or intended to make positive changes in their behaviors due to program participation. The colorful child behavior card may promote positive interaction between parents and children, and low costing intervention on a population-based scale.