[Relationship of childhood eating habits with unbalanced diets among mothers of infants].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between mothers with infants behavior of eating/not eating disliked foods and food intake with education regarding eating habits in childhood. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted with 1145 mothers at 15 public kindergartens in A-prefecture B-city. Attributes of each mother's behavior regarding eating disliked foods, their number, frequency of food intake, eating breakfast and supper together and education regarding eating habits in childhood were evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The 'eat/probably eat disliked foods' group showed a lower number of disliked foods, a higher food intake frequency score and a higher ratio for receiving eating habit education in childhood with regard to helping with meal making, eating the meal dished up by one person, not watching television while eating meals, eating meals with seasoning and cut small for children. In this study, execution rates for these eating habit education items were subordinate. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that eating disliked foods relates to food intake balance and receiving eating habit education in childhood in an environment in which children can concentrates easily on their meals. Therefore, it is suggested that promoting these education items is a high priority.