The Impact of Mothers' Dietary Patterns on Children's Nutritional Status in China

Objective: We studied the effect of mothers' dietary patterns on their children's nutritional status. Methods: Based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) packages in 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011, mothers' dietary quality scores were calculated using the Dietary Balance Index-07. We further explored the influence of maternal dietary patterns on children's nutritional status using a series of regression analyses with time and province fixed effects in longitudinal study, simultaneouly considering the differential impact of child's age, multigenerational co-residence, and categories of maternal food consumption. Results: Maternal food consumption was slightly higher than what is required, and each food group positively correlated between mothers and their children. Furthermore, the maternal dietary quality score on the children's energy intake was significant. The influence of maternal dietary patterns on children's nutritional intake increases gradually with the child's age, but multigenerational co-residence has the opposite effect. Furthermore, maternal food intake of cereals, vegetables, beans, and meat has a positive impact on children's nutritional intake. Conclusions: Maternal dietary patterns have a significant impact on children's nutritional status. The consumption of meat and multigenerational co-residence should be given high priority.