Relation between social and demographic factors with feeding practices in 3-6 years old children

Relevant eating pattern has an important role in childhood. Recent studies have shown that the methods used by parents to feed children have an important role in the child’s diet and BMI. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between social factors and feeding practices with diet in 3- 6 years old children. A cross-sectional survey was conducted upon of 208 parents with children aged 3-6 years was carried out in 30 nurseries of Rasht in 2010. Parents reported their own and their children demographic data. Aspects of child’s feeding practices were assessed using Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). Height and weight of mothers participated in the study were measured. Measures included social factors, aspects of parental control practices and the child’s diet. The role of parental and child social and demographic factors and child feeding practices in predicting children’s diet was assessed using multiple block entry linear regression. Results showed that Children diet was related to mother’s age, marriage, education and child’s age and sex. Moreover, mother’s use of encourage balance and variety, Food as reward, involvement, modeling, monitoring, child control, restriction for health, and teaching about nutrition was related to child’s diet. The results showed a significant relationship between social factors and control practices with aspects of the child’s diet.