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Identifying and evaluating factors related to feeding disorders in children using the path analysis method
Amirhossein Hosseini1, Saeedeh Sistani1, Arsalan Sabooree2
1Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Socio-economic status, destructive behaviors, and sleep patterns significantly influence pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs). Understanding these factors is key to managing PFDs in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Nutrition
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) are characterized by age-inappropriate food consumption.
- Identifying the underlying causes of PFDs is essential for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the factors associated with pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs).
- To utilize path analysis to understand the complex relationships influencing PFDs.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 500 children (6 months to 18 years).
- Data collected via maternal and physician interviews.
- Path analysis employed to model relationships between socio-economic status, feeding practices, behaviors, sleep, BMI, and PFDs.
Main Results:
- Socio-economic status (SES) has both direct and indirect effects on PFDs.
- Destructive behaviors were positively associated with PFDs.
- Regular sleep patterns were linked to significantly fewer PFDs.
Conclusions:
- Socio-economic status, destructive behaviors, sleep, and BMI are key factors influencing pediatric feeding disorders.
- These findings highlight the multifactorial nature of PFDs.
Introduction:
Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) refer to the impaired consumption of food that is inappropriate for a child's age group. Understanding the causes and influencing factors of PFDs is crucial for managing these disorders.
Aim:
This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with PFDs using the path analysis method.
Material And Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 children aged 6 months to 18 years who visited gastroenterology and child nutrition clinics. Data were collected through interviews with mothers and physicians, and analyzed using the path analysis method. The model included latent variables such as feeding disorders and birth status, as well as observed variables such as socio-economic status, food group, feeding practices, destructive behaviors, sleep, and body mass index (BMI) z-score.
Results:
We conducted three path analyses. The socio-economic status (SES) directly and indirectly plays a role in feeding disorders in children; the total effect on feeding disorders was positive (β = 0.075). The direct effect of SES on the intake of food groups was positive (β = 0.190), on BMI z-score was positive (β = 0.100), and it was generally associated with a negative effect on feeding disorders (β = -0.05). The total effect of destructive behaviors on body mass was negative (β = 0.262) and on feeding disorders was positive (β = -0.041). Children who had regular sleep had significantly fewer feeding disorders (total effect: -0.369).
Conclusions:
Socio-economic status, destructive behaviors, sleep, and BMI were found to be factors influencing eating disorders in children.
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