ABSTRACT
Background: Imbalanced diet, as it may cause micronutrient malnutrition has been known as a causal factor for several chronic diseases. Several studies in Iran have shown that some micro-nutrient deficiencies are prevalent and of high concern. Minerals such as calcium and iron can supply physical and mental health as well as survival, and growth development. In this study, Nutrient density analysis was used to display Iranian households' diet quality
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the diet quality of seven provinces, namely Eastern Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan, Khouzestan, Sistan Balochestan and Fars was assessed in terms of calcium and iron. To do so, the data were obtained through national household food consumption survey conducted by National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, 2000-02, in Iran
Results: Generally, 80% of households' calcium density was less than the standard value and this rate was 40-70% for iron. Index of nutrition quality [INQ] for calcium and iron were respectively almost 1/2 and 1/3 of requirements in all provinces
Conclusions: There were significant differences in calcium intake density between the rural and urban households however; there were no differences between the selective provinces and all over the country
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to investigate the association between parental behavior and the dietary intake of Tehranian preschool children aged 2-6 years. In a cross-sectional study conducted on 310 children aged 2-6 years from the kindergartens of 22 districts of Tehran, a qualitative validated 85-item food frequency questionnaire was completed by interviewing with their parents. Also the effect of parental behavior on the children's dietary intake was assessed using a validated comprehensive feeding practices questionnaire [CFPQ]. 47 and 53% of children were girls and boys, respectively. Among the parental behavior patterns, encouraging children to eat healthy foods, using food rewards, teaching and talking with children about the value of foods, encouraging the children to participate in food purchasing and preparation, making available the healthy foods, parental controlling behavior, child's control, restricted behaviors because of having weight loss diet, and role modeling were significantly associated with the dietary intake of food groups [P<0.05]. Any effort to promote children's dietary intake needs considering the role of parents in the development of feeding patterns, and interest in children to consume healthy foods