Measuring Differences in Food Iintakes and Dietary Habits of Preschool Children by the Weight-Length Index

This study was conducted to obtain data and offer advice regarding dietary intake at kindergarten and to recommend dietary habits to prevent childhood obesity. The study was conducted in 85 children aged 4 to 5 years. Body weight and height, dietary intakes of lunch served at Kindergarten and questionnaires for dietary behaviors in Kyeongnam area were studied. All subjects were classified by their weight-length index (WLI). According to the standard WLI values, 41.2% of the children were within the normal value ($90{\leq}$WLI<110), 23.5% of the children were overweight ($110{\leq}$WLI<120), and 35.3% of the children were obese ($WLI{\geq}120$). The mean energy intake at lunch for kindergarteners was $287.1{\pm}13.4$ kcal in the normal group, $307.6{\pm}10.2$ kcal in the overweight group and $323.7{\pm}8.6$ kcal in the obese group. The percent energy of estimated energy requirement (EER) was 21.8%. The intake of protein, iron, zinc, vitamin A, and pyridoxine were significantly different by WLI (P<0.05). A comparison of nutrients in the lunch menu provided with those of 1/3 recommended intake (RI) showed that preschoolers took in fewer calories, calcium, and vitamin $B_2$, and that their deficiency rates were high (81.2%, 76.5% and 70.6% of recommended levels, respectively). There was a significant difference in the preference of fruits and milk and dairy products by WLI. Therefore, a nutritional education program and new guidance in the proper nutrition management for kindergarteners should be developed to enhance nutritional status during childhood.

유치원 원아의 WLI 분포에 따른 에너지 및 영양소의 섭취량, 식습관의 차이에 관한 연구