Factors Associated with Height-Promoting Dietary Practices Among Japanese Preschool Children: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Highlights What are the main findings? • Height-related dietary practices were associated with child age, history of short stature, history of food allergy, information-seeking, and shorter parental height.• Milk and dairy products were the most commonly used foods for height promotion; however, few children met the intake frequency cutoffs across food groups. What are the implications of the main findings? • Selective, growth-focused dietary modifications may not be accompanied by broader improvements in diet across food groups.• Guidance may be more effective when maternal concerns are acknowledged, and feasible and balanced eating patterns are supported. Abstract Background/Objectives: Parents of preschool children may adopt dietary practices intended to promote height growth. However, the correlates of such practices in the general population remain unclear. Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study included 1362 mothers of Japanese children aged 3–5 years. Mothers were assigned to the height-related dietary practice group if they had ever used dietary practices to promote their child’s height growth; all other mothers were classified into the no-practice group. The questionnaire assessed child and parental characteristics, including anthropometric measurements, history of short stature (height < −2 SD at any time point), history of food allergy, maternal information-seeking behavior regarding child growth, and current dietary intake. Associations with height-related…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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