Nutr Res Pract.  2023 Jun;17(3):541-552. 10.4162/nrp.2023.17.3.541.

Analysis of the factors that influence preschool children eating behavior by applying the health belief model: Seoul and Gyeonggi Province

• Cha SM
• Kim SY

• KMID: 2542849
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2023.17.3.541

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
This study explores the parental characteristics that affect the eating behaviors of preschool children. The nutrition quotient for preschool children (NQ-P) tool was applied to measure the eating behaviors of preschool children, and the relationship between parents’ health beliefs and children’s eating behaviors was investigated by applying the health belief model.
MATERIALS/METHODS
In August 2018, a self-administered online survey was conducted on a sample of parents of children aged 3 to 5 years living in the Seoul and Gyeonggi area. A total of 248 respondents were analyzed via descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparison test, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
The eating behaviors of preschool children significantly differed based on parents’ education level and monthly income (P < 0.01). Among the factors of the health belief model, “perceived benefit” had the highest score at 4.37 points. The multiple regression analysis confirmed that parents’ “self-efficacy” raised the NQ-P scores (β = 0.175, P< 0.05), balance scores (β = 0.204, P < 0.01), and environment scores of preschool children (β = 0.149,P < 0.05). The study results showed that if parents are educated on healthy eating habits and their level of self-efficacy for healthy eating practices increases, the formation of correct eating behaviors for preschool children is more likely.
CONCLUSION
This study provides preliminary data to develop an education program for parents to understand proper eating behaviors for their children and may help form healthy eating habits and encourage the healthy growth of preschool children.

Keyword

Eating habits; health belief model; nutritional assessment; preschool children

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