Evaluation of Nutritional Preferences of School-Age Children and Parents Attitudes Towards Child Nutrition: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the nutrition of school-age children and the influence of their parents.   Method: The study involved 259 school-age children aged 9-12 and their volunteering parents from a province in Türkiye. A questionnaire was administered to the children questioning sociodemographic data and basic nutritional information, anthropometric measurements were taken, and the Parent Mealtime Action Scale was applied to their parents. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 26 program.   Results: It was found that the snack consumption status of children was related to the income status of the family's daily fruit and vegetable consumption (p<0.01). It has been found that animal fat restricted diet is associated with growth status in children (p<0.01). It has been determined that the children's eating situation is related to the persistent behavior of parents (p<0.05). It has been found that children who do not consume chips at all are also fed restricted animal fats in their daily diet. It was determined that bagel/cereal consumption was also excessive in children in whom rewarding was applied excessively (p<0.05).   Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that school-age children's own preferences in food choices, as well as the parent's behavior and educational status, and the family's income level also have a significant impact. It is thought that it will be beneficial to provide nutrition education to parents and children in order to develop the right eating habits in school-age children and to increase the level of nutrition knowledge.