SHORT COMMUNICATION
Differences in nutritional status
of preschool children in the context
of the maternal social characteristics
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Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Department of Health and Work Psychology)
Online publication date: 2017-05-19
Corresponding author
Adrianna Potocka
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Department of Health and Work Psychology, św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2017;30(5):811-21
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: It is generally accepted that maternal factors are important in maintaining the adequate nutritional status
of young children. This study was aimed at verifying whether mother’s socio-demographic (age and relationship status)
and socio-economic features (education and professional status) differentiate the child’s nutritional status. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and October 2013. Five hundred thirty mothers of preschool
children from 5 different regions of Poland were interviewed. Mothers were interviewed on their socio-demographic
and socio-economic status. To assess the child’s nutritional status, body mass index (BMI) z-score and the diet indicators
were calculated, such as the percentage of the estimated average requirement for energy (%EAR), the percentage of energy
coming from carbohydrates (%EC), fat (%ET) and proteins (%EP). Percentage of the estimated average requirement
for energy, %EC, %ET and %EP was obtained from 24-h dietary recalls conducted with the mothers. Results: The results
showed that mother’s education and professional status did not differentiate any of the indices of the child’s nutritional
status. However, maternal age and her relationship status occurred significant (ANOVA; p < 0.05). Children of younger
mothers had higher BMI z-score and higher %EC as compared to children of older mothers. Moreover, %EAR was higher
among children of single mothers and it was closer to the recommended nutrition standards as compared to children of
mothers with a partner. Conclusions: When a child is diagnosed with any type of malnutrition, it is worth assessing various
factors that might influence the nutritional status, such as child’s social background (e.g., maternal factors). Int J Occup
Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):811–821