Association between constipation and insufficient dietary intake to achieve satiety in preschool age

Background: Few studies have explored the relationship between constipation and not eating enough to feel satiety. Aim: The study aims to examine the association between constipation and not eating enough to feel satiety. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 189 children 3 to 6 years of age. Constipation was defined as two or fewer defecations per week. To assess the satiety of children, mothers were asked, "Does your child eat until he/she is full every day?" The response options were as follows: "eats every day," "eats occasionally," "neither eats every day nor eats occasionally," "does not eat much," or "does not eat at all." "Eats every day" was defined as eating enough to feel satiety. The other four responses were defined as not eating enough to feel satiety. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a logistic regression analysis. Results: Thirty-nine (20.6%) children had constipation and 112 (59.3%) children did not eat enough to feel satiety. The association between constipation and not eating enough to feel satiety was significant. The crude OR of constipation for children who did not eat enough to feel satiety was 2.25 (95% CI 1.02-4.96). After adjusting for sex and age, the OR was 2.15 (95% CI 1.01-4.98). After further adjustment for underweight and overweight, the OR was 2.11 (95% CI 0.94-4.76). Conclusion: Not eating enough to feel satiety was associated with constipation independent of sex and age.