Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Dietary diversity status and influencing factors among children aged 3-7 in China

Bingbing Guo1, Lan Jiang1, Xinye Jiang1

  • 1Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.

Frontiers in Nutrition
|June 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Over one-third of Wuxi preschool children exhibit low dietary diversity. Factors like increased screen time and maternal overweight/obesity are linked to poor dietary diversity, necessitating targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Nutrition Science
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Dietary diversity is crucial for preschool children's growth and development.
  • Low dietary diversity is a growing concern in urban populations, impacting child health outcomes.
  • Understanding influencing factors is key to developing effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the dietary diversity status of preschool children (3-7 years) in Wuxi City.
  • To identify factors associated with dietary diversity in this population.
  • To provide evidence for targeted interventions to improve children's nutrition.

Main Methods:

  • A stratified cluster random sampling method included 3,727 preschool children from 18 kindergartens in Wuxi.
  • Questionnaires collected data on child demographics, dietary habits, family conditions, and parental factors.
  • Multivariate logistic regression analyzed associations between various factors and dietary diversity scores.

Main Results:

  • The average dietary diversity score (DDS) was 5.07 ± 1.94, with 36.79% of children showing low dietary diversity (DDS ≤ 4).
  • Factors associated with low dietary diversity included prolonged daily screen time (>1 hour) and maternal overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 24).
  • Positive associations with normal dietary diversity were observed with specific income levels, outdoor activity durations, sleep duration, appetite, and fixed dining seats.

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion of Wuxi's preschool children suffer from low dietary diversity, warranting immediate attention.
  • Elevated screen time and maternal overweight/obesity are significant risk factors for low dietary diversity.
  • Targeted interventions focusing on screen time, maternal health, family environment, and government support are recommended, with stratified approaches for vulnerable groups.
Abstract

Keywords:
Chinachildrendevelopmentdietary diversity scoresinfluencing factors

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development01:30

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Parenting Styles01:27

Parenting Styles

Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles — authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and permissive — each influence children's socio-emotional development differently.
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...