(P24-092-23) The Association Between Anthropometric Status and Child Eating Behaviour Among Preschool Children Aged 2–4 Years in Some Rural Areas in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State Nigeria

Objectives: The study was focused on the association between anthropometric status and child eating behaviour.

Methods: Purposive sampling method was used to identify 290 households with preschool children, however, 256 of the households consented to participate in the study and their children aged 2-4years were recruited across the study areas using purposive sampling method. The caregivers were interviewed on the eating behviour of their children using a semi-structured child eating behaviour module, and anthropometric measurement of the children were taken. WHO Anthro-software for child growth standard was used to categorize anthropometric status of the preschool children, while correlation was performed to determine association between variables under study, and P < 0.05 was significant.

Results: Mean comparison of child eating behaviour by gender showed significant difference (P < 0.05) between male and female children in their eating behaviour with respect to enjoyment of food and satiety responsiveness. Some (26.6%, 20.7% and 16.4%, respectively) of children were wasted, stunted and underweight. A significant association (P < 0.05) was observed between body mass index-for-age and food fussiness behaviour of the children. There was also a significant difference (P < 0.05) between weight-for-age and food fussiness behaviour of the children.

Conclusions: The study showed that child eating behaviour may have contributed to the anthropometric status of the children, however, differences in their eating behviours by gender was observed.

Funding Sources: No funding for the study