J Korean Diet Assoc.  2004 Nov;10(4):407-416.

A Comparison of Growth Development and Nutrient Intakes between Double Income Families' and Full-Time Housewives' Preschool Children

• Myung KH
• Shin SM
• Choi MK

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the comparison of growth development, bone mineral density and nutrient intakes between double income families' preschool children(DIFPC) and full-time housewives' preschool children(FHPC). Subjects were 111 preschool children. Anthropometric characteristics and bone mineral density in right forearm were measured. The questionnaire was composed of health status, life style, dietary behaviors, and dietary intakes and was completed by the children's mothers. The average age of the DIFPC(n=60) was 53.02 months and that of the FHPC(n=51) was 54.80 months. The birth height and weight of the subjects were 50.47cm and 3.27Kg for DIFPC and 50.85cm and 3.36Kg for FHPC, respectively. The average height, weight, % body fat, and obesity index were 108.50cm, 18.35Kg, 15.35%, 96.71% in DIFPC and 111.46cm, 19.64Kg, 16.80%, 97.31% in FHPC, respectively. The bone mineral density in forearm of two groups were 0.24g/cm2 in all. The infant feeding method was significantly different between DIFPC and FHPC; 58.9% of DIFPC was fed formula, while 44.4% of FHPC was fed breast milk(p<0.05). Proportions of children for their regular meal were 59.4%, 89.6%, and 61.0% for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively. The major reasons for irregular meal were lack of time and poor appetite for breakfast and snacks for lunch and dinner. Most of the children answered they have snack over once a day, and 60.0% have unbalanced diet. The intakes of energy, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B1, niacin, and vitamin C did not meet the Korean RDAs. The intakes of K and vitamin A for DIFPC were significantly higher than those of FHPC(p<0.05, p<0.05). In conclusion, double income families' preschool children more have a low frequency of breast feeding and low intakes of micro nutrients, such as K and vitamin A than full-time housewives' ones.

Keyword

growth; bone mineral density; nutrient intakes; double income family; full-time housewife; preschool children

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Appetite
Ascorbic Acid
Bone Density
Breakfast
Breast
Breast Feeding
Calcium
Child
Child, Preschool*
Diet
Feeding Methods
Forearm
Humans
Infant
Iron
Life Style
Lunch
Meals
Mothers
Niacin
Obesity
Parturition
Surveys and Questionnaires
Snacks
Thiamine
Vitamin A
Zinc
Ascorbic Acid
Calcium
Iron
Niacin
Thiamine
Vitamin A
Zinc