Differences in nutritional status of preschool children in the context of the maternal social characteristics

• Authors: Adrianna Potocka , Aleksandra Jacukowicz

Abstracts

EN

Objectives It is generally accepted that maternal factors are important in maintaining the adequate nutritional status of young children. This study was aimed at verifying whether mother’s socio-demographic (age and relationship status) and socio-economic features (education and professional status) differentiate the child’s nutritional status. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and October 2013. Five hundred thirty mothers of preschool children from 5 different regions of Poland were interviewed. Mothers were interviewed on their socio-demographic and socio-economic status. To assess the child’s nutritional status, body mass index (BMI) z-score and the diet indicators were calculated, such as the percentage of the estimated average requirement for energy (%EAR), the percentage of energy coming from carbohydrates (%EC), fat (%ET) and proteins (%EP). Percentage of the estimated average requirement for energy, %EC, %ET and %EP was obtained from 24-h dietary recalls conducted with the mothers. Results The results showed that mother’s education and professional status did not differentiate any of the indices of the child’s nutritional status. However, maternal age and her relationship status occurred significant (ANOVA; p < 0.05). Children of younger mothers had higher BMI z-score and higher %EC as compared to children of older mothers. Moreover, %EAR was higher among children of single mothers and it was closer to the recommended nutrition standards as compared to children of mothers with a partner. Conclusions When a child is diagnosed with any type of malnutrition, it is worth assessing various factors that might influence the nutritional status, such as child’s social background (e.g., maternal factors). Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):811–821

Keywords

EN

nutritional status; diet; mothers; body mass; preschoolers; social factors

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2017
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 811-821

Dates

published

2017

Contributors

author

Adrianna Potocka

• Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Health and Work Psychology)

author

Aleksandra Jacukowicz

• Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Health and Work Psychology)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00971

Biblioteka Nauki

2161895