Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation of dietary behaviors and feeding behaviors with weight among preschool children using network analysis, and to identify key dietary and feeding behaviors that affect children′s weight. Methods Between January and July 2021, 5 to 10 kindergartens were selected from each of the seven prefecture-level cities in Shaanxi Province.A total of 9 629 the primary caregivers of preschool children aged 3 - 6 years were surveyed to assess dietary behaviors of preschool children and feeding behaviors of caregivers. The R software was used to construct a network of dietary behaviors, feeding behaviors and weight, and key behaviors were identified based on centrality indices such as strength, closeness, and betweenness of the network. Results Compared with children of normal weight, underweight children had higher scores for coercive feeding, unhealthy eating habits, overeating response, and emotional eating, while overweight and obese children hadsignificantly higher scores for weight concern, food responsiveness, and emotional eating(P<0.05). Network analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between responsive feeding and restriction of dietary content among feeding behaviors(r=0.45), and a negative correlation between unhealthy eating habits and initiative eating among dietary behaviors(r=-0.27). Emotional eating among dietary behaviors was positively correlated with weight concern among feeding behaviors(r=0.22). Children′s body mass index(BMI) was positively correlated with weight concern(r=0.14) and negatively correlated with overeating response(r=-0.10). The key behaviors in the network of dietary behaviors, feeding behaviors, and weight among preschool children included responsive feeding, unhealthy eating habits, and initiative eating. Conclusions Dietary behaviors and feeding behaviors among preschool children have a strong correlation with weight, with responsive feeding, unhealthy eating habits, and initiative eating being the key feeding and dietary behaviors that affect children′s weight. Developing effective intervention measures targeting these key behaviors is of great significance for promoting healthy growth and preventing obesity and underweight issues in preschool children.

Key words: eating behavior, feeding behavior, weight, preschool children, network analysis, obesity

摘要： 目的 基于网络分析方法探索学龄前儿童饮食行为和喂养行为与体重的相关性,识别影响儿童体重的关键饮食及喂养行为。方法 2021年1—7月,在陕西省7个地级市各选择5~10个幼儿园,采用学龄前(3~6岁)儿童饮食行为及照护人喂养行为量表对9 629名儿童主要照护人进行调查。采用R软件构建饮食行为和喂养行为与体重的网络,并依据网络的强度、紧密度和中介度等中心性指标确定关键行为。结果 与正常体重儿童相比,低体重儿童逼迫喂养、不良饮食习惯、过饱响应和情绪性进食得分较高,超重及肥胖儿童体重担忧、食物响应和情绪性进食得分较高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。网络分析显示喂养行为中责任喂养和饮食内容限制之间具有强正相关关系(r=0.45),饮食行为中不良进食习惯和主动性进食之间具有负相关关系(r=-0.27)。饮食行为中情绪性进食和喂养行为中体重担忧呈正相关(r=0.22)。儿童体质量指数(BMI)与体重担忧呈正相关(r=0.14),与过饱响应呈负相关(r=-0.10)。学龄前儿童饮食行为、喂养行为和体重网络的关键行为为责任喂养、不良进食习惯和主动性进食。结论 学龄前儿童饮食行为和喂养行为与体重具有强相关关系,责任喂养、不良进食习惯和主动性进食是影响儿童体重的关键喂养和饮食行为。针对关键行为制定有效的干预措施,对于促进学龄前儿童健康成长、预防肥胖及低体重问题具有重要意义。

关键词: 饮食行为, 喂养行为, 体重, 学龄前儿童, 网络分析, 肥胖