Demographic status, eating behaviour, and fruit and vegetable intake in children aged 4 to 6 years

Abstract

Introduction: Fruits and vegetables (FV) are packed with nutrients; high consumption of FV offers various health benefits. However, consumption is reported to be below recommendation among children worldwide. Current evidence related to environmental and personal factors on FV intake in Malaysia is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine environmental and personal factors associated with FV intake among children aged 4 to 6 years in Malaysia. Methods: 278 children participated and questionnaires were distributed to seven preschools in Setiu, Terengganu. Parents were asked to complete the questionnaire to assess demographic data, children’s eating behaviour, FV intake and liking. Results: Girls consumed more vegetables than boys (p=0.041). Parental education was significantly associated with vegetable intake. Frequency of purchasing FV had a significant association with fruit (p=0.014) and vegetable (p<0.001) intakes among children. Meanwhile, frequency of family mealtimes was associated with vegetable intake. Furthermore, children’s eating behaviour was found to be related to FV intake. Three eating behaviour characteristics, namely food responsiveness, satiety responsiveness, and food fussiness, were significantly associated with vegetable intake, while enjoyment of food, food responsiveness, and emotional overeating had significant associations with fruit intake. Additional robust regression analyses demonstrated that only frequency of purchasing FV was a significant predictor of both FV intakes (p=0.018; p=0.001), while gender was a predictor of vegetable intake (p=0.011), but not fruit intake. Conclusion: Demographic status and children’s eating behaviour were among the factors involved in determining FV intake among children.