Factors Associated with Height-Promoting Dietary Practices Among Japanese Preschool Children: A Web-Based...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Growth and Development
• Maternal Health Behaviors

Background:

• Parental dietary practices aimed at promoting preschool children's height growth are common.
• Factors influencing these practices in the general population are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlates of height-related dietary practices among mothers of preschool children.
• To examine the association between these practices and child growth trajectories.

Main Methods:

• A web-based cross-sectional study involving 1362 mothers of Japanese children aged 3-5 years.
• Data collected via questionnaire on child/parental characteristics, dietary intake, and growth history.
• Multiple logistic regression analysis used to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• 39% of mothers reported using height-related dietary practices.
• Practices associated with older child age, history of short stature, food allergy, and information-seeking behavior.
• Milk/dairy and fish intake higher in practice group, but overall attainment was low; no difference in height gain over time.

Conclusions:

• Height-related dietary practices are linked to parental concerns and characteristics, not improved height gain.
• Health guidance should promote balanced diets for overall nutrition and healthy growth, not specific foods.