Picky eating and its family-related factors among children during COVID-19 outbreak

Objective To investigate the current status of picky eating among children and family-related factors, to provide scientific basis for diet intervention for children. Methods A total of 1 829 children were selected from 5 kindergartens in Shenzhen and investigated by electronic questionnaire survey from March 18 th-20 th in 2020.The data was analyzed by SPSS 21.0. Results The reported rate of picky eating behavior among children was 43.8%. Parents’picky eating behavior, children’s preference to eating snacks, parental worries on children’s appetite, parents’ attitude toward the food disliked by children were positively correlated to childrens picky eating behaviors [ OR (95% CI ) =3.86(2.74-5.43), 1.44(1.15-1.80), 3.21(2.45-4.22), 2.21(1.65-2.95)]; however, eating various food under the instruction of their parents was negatively correlated to children’s behaviors [ OR (95% CI )= 0.38 (0.29-0.49)] ( P <0.05). Conclusion The reported rate of picky eating behaviors of children on holiday is lower than usual, but parents should to help them develop good dietary habits, prevent picky eating among children. 【摘要】 目的 了解新型冠状病毒肺炎 (以下简称“新冠肺炎”) 居家隔离期幼儿挑食行为现况及其影响因素, 为特殊时 期幼儿饮食干预工作提供依据。 方法 2020 年 3 月 18—20 日整群抽取深圳市5所幼儿园 1 829 名幼儿进行电子问卷调 查, 使用 SPSS 21.0 对调查结果进行统计分析。 结果 新冠肺炎期间幼儿挑食行为报告率为 43.8%。家长挑食、幼儿吃零 食、家长对孩子胃口越担心、家长对孩子不喜欢食物的态度是强制或哄骗与幼儿挑食行为发生呈正相关[ OR 值 ( OR 值 95% CI) ]分别为 3.86(2.74~5.43), 1.44(1.15~1.80), 3.21(2.45~4.22), 2.21 (1.65~2.95);而家长引导孩子吃各种食物后 孩子会服从与孩子挑食行为发生呈负相关[ OR 值 ( OR 值95% CI )= 0.38 (0.29~ 0.49) ]( P 值均<0.05)。 结论 新冠肺炎期 间幼儿挑食行为报告率较平时下降, 但父母仍需做好幼儿日常饮食管理, 鼓励引导孩子健康饮食, 减少幼儿挑食行为的 发生。