Analysis of Potential Risks in Abnormal Physical Development Due to Dietary Habits in Preschool Children.

ABSTRACT

Background: The prevalence of abnormal physical development in preschool children is often linked to their dietary habits, necessitating a comprehensive investigation. Understanding the intricacies of these habits is crucial for formulating targeted interventions to enhance the overall health and well-being of this vulnerable population. Objective: This study aims to explore the dietary habits of preschool children in Shijiazhuang and evaluate their impact on abnormal physical development. The primary objective is to identify key dietary issues, particularly focusing on picky eating, and assess their association with undernutrition and obesity in this age group. Methods: Utilizing a stratified sampling approach, the study involves preschool children and their caregivers from various kindergartens in Shijiazhuang. On-site medical examinations are conducted to measure height and weight and calculate body mass index (BMI). Additionally, parents were surveyed to gather information on the general aspects and dietary habits of their children. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to ascertain the correlation between picky eating and the risk of undernutrition and obesity. Results: The findings indicate that approximately 70% of preschool children maintain a normal BMI, while 16.67% experience undernutrition, and 13.33% face issues of being overweight or obese. Picky eating emerges as the predominant dietary habit issue, affecting 51.33% of the participants. Binary logistic regression analysis identifies picky eating as a significant risk factor for undernutrition and obesity among children. Conclusions: Picky eating stands out as the primary dietary habit concern for preschool children, concurrently posing a substantial risk for abnormal physical development. Urgent measures are warranted to rectify children's suboptimal dietary habits, elevate nutritional standards, and foster their overall health and development. These findings underscore the imperative need for interventions targeting dietary improvement in preschoolers, contributing to improving their well-being and long-term health outcomes.