• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2008

A community-based longitudinal study was conducted in the Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region of Ghana with the objective of assessing how caregiving practices influence nutritional status of young children in Ghana. The study subjects were one hundred mothers with infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Each child was visited at home monthly for a period of six months. On each visit, information was collected on caregiver household and personal hygiene, child's immunization status, child's dietary diversity, caregiver responsiveness during feeding, caregiver hygienic practices related to feeding and child's weight and length. At the end of the study, summary scores were generated for each variable and quality of care practice determined based on their distribution. Classification of child nutritional status was based on z-scores for both weight-for-age and length-for-age. The results revealed that caregivers who exhibited better quality of care practice had well-nourished children. Such caregivers were more likely to practice good household and personal hygiene than those of poorly nourished children (97.1% vs 31.8%, p<0.001). They were also more likely to complete their children's immunization schedules (88.2% vs 62.2%, p<0.001), provide good quality diets from highly diversified sources (79% vs 23%, p<0.001), exhibit high responsiveness during feeding (100% vs 22.7%, p<0.001) and feed under hygienic conditions (100% vs 22.7%, p<0.001). Based on the findings it was concluded that good caregiving practices are associated with improved child nutritional status.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.317-327
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to identify small for gestational age (SGA) infants' growth patterns, nutritional status, and associated factors. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at primary-care child health clinics in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The sample consisted of infants who fulfilled the criteria and were born in 2019. The anthropometric data of infants were assessed at birth and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results: A total of 328 infants were analysed. In total, 27.7%(n=91) of the subjects were SGA infants, and 237 of them were not. Significant differences in the median weight-for-age and length-for-age z-scores were observed between SGA and non-SGA infants at birth, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. There was a significant difference between the growth patterns of SGA and non-SGA infants. Birth weight and sex significantly predicted the nutritional status(stunting and underweight) of SGA infants during their first year of life. Conclusion: SGA infants can catch up to achieve normal growth during their first year of life. Even though the nutritional status of SGA infants trends worse than non-SGA infants, adequate infant birth weight monitoring and an emphasis on nutritional advice are crucial for maintaining well-being.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.901-908
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• 2000

The study was carried out to assess whether the nutritional management program by dietician at child center can affect nutritional status of children at child care center. The diet intakes were measured by mother\`s record at home and by direct weighing at child care centers, and the hight and weight of children were measured before and after nutritional management program for 3months to see the effects. The energy intakes were significantly increased 56.29 Kcal after program, and protein 3.61g, lipid 3.12 g, calcium 49.71mg, iron 0.39 mg, vitamin B$_1$ 0.084 mg, vitamin B$_2$ 0.116 mg, and vitamin C 10.10 mg, respectively, except vitamin A and niacin. the significant changes of nutrient intakes were more at higher age group compared to at the lower age group, and more at girls compared to boys, Although the significant increase fo nutrient intakes at child care center, most nutrient intakes at home were not significantly changed, except energy, lipid, iron, vitamin A. The changes at changes of fat and calcium intakes for 3 months were positively correlated to the change of Z-score for weight, and the change of A-score for weight was positively correlated to changes of Z-score for height. The results showed that the nutritional management program for 3 month at child care center can increase nutrient intakes significantly and the incresed nutrient intakes can enhance children\`s growth. (Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 901-908, 2000)

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-86
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• 2015

The present study was performed to evaluate food behavior and nutritional status of children in a community child center using nutrition quotient according to age and growth index of children. The number of subjects enrolled in this study was 152 including 73 boys and 79 girls. Participants consisted of children from 5 to 12 years old, who visited a community child center in the area. Growth index was assessed through body mass index by height and weight and examined according to age. Subjects were divided into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese according to questionnaire, which consisted of five categories including balance, diversity, moderation, regularity and practice, were analyzed by SPSS statistical program. Current results show significant differences in the diversity and regularity (p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively). Additionally, four items in the form of 10 questions showed significant differences related to habits of sodium-related food intake. This study design will be a useful tool in the evaluation of food behavior and nutritional status of preschoolers or elementary school children in community child centers, together with food frequency questionnaires related with sodium food intake.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1070-1078
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• 2016

This study investigated the nutrition education realities and nutrition status of children in community child centers, by analyzing the status of nutrition education, nutrition quotient (NQ), and the level of maintaining dietary guidelines. The subjects were 173 children from grades 1 to 6, enrolled in community child centers, Jinju, Kyungnam. The NQ was examined by a questionnaire, which was a checklist of 19 food behavior items. The distribution of scores (out of 100) in the nutrition quotient were as follows: total score of NQ was 59.4, balance 56.6, diversity 60.6, moderation 65.6, regularity 60.9, and practice 56.7. Nutrition quotient was higher in the higher graders due to significant differences in the area of variety. The level of maintaining dietary guidelines was higher in girls, especially in the area 'eat politely with family', and higher amongst the upper graders in the area 'have safe snack wisely'. To improve the eating habits and nutritional status of the children in community child centers, their nutritional state should be checked with regular and systematic education, and their nutritional management should be pursued continuously. Since the assessment of the eating behaviors and the nutritional state of children is important at home as well as in schools and community child centers, nutritional education should be further extended to the parents and their care givers. This study can be implemented as basic material for the nutritional education of children, to minimize the dangers of malnutrition and to help build up the right eating habits amongst children in community child centers.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.512-520
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The 6-23 months for infants is the longest period in the "first 1,000 days" of life. This period is very important for child development, so complementary feeding (CF) practices should be optimized to maximize children's potential for growth and development. The aim of this study was to analyze the CF practices and nutritional status of children aged 6-23 months. SUBJECTS/METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, 392 children aged 6-23 months were selected using stratified random sampling. Socio-demographic data were collected through interviews. CF practices, collected by interviews and repeated 24-hour food recall method, were the timely introduction of CF, minimum meal frequency, dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet, consumption food rich in proteins and vitamin A. Nutritional status was assessed using the indicators of underweight, wasting and stunting. To analyze the association between socio-demographic indicators and CF with nutritional status, the chi-square test with a confidence interval of 95% was used. RESULTS: Results showed that 39% were exclusively breastfed, only 61% received prolonged breastfeeding and 50% received timely introduction of CF. Minimum meal frequency was met by 74% of subjects, but dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet were only realized in 50% and 40% of the children, respectively. The prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting were 26%, 23%, and 28%, respectively. Age of the child, birth order, birth weight, parents' education level, family size and incidence of fever and diarrhea during the previous two weeks were associated with underweight, while child's birth order, fathers' education level, mother's age, family size, completion of the age-appropriate vaccination and fish consumption frequency were associated with wasting. Age of the child, incidence of fever and acute respiratory infection, and fortified food consumption were associated with stunting. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal CF practices and high prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting were found among children aged 6-23 months old in Aceh. These results highlight the need to improve CF and nutritional status.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2006

This study evaluated the evaluate nutrient knowledge of child care teachers and assessed the nutritional level of snacks served in 18 child care centers in Tean-Gun. The survey sample was 18 child care teachers working in 18 child care centers of Tean-Gun. The questionnaire requested information about demographic factors, nutritional knowledge, management status of snacks, and the kinds and serving size of snacks served for 1 week. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows(version 12.0) and nutritional values were assessed using Can-pro 2.0. The mean score of teachers' nutritional knowledge was 22 out of 30 points. The scores were low in the questions regarding the ease with which Ca and re deficiencies can be developed in infants. The contents of most nutrients supplied from the snacks exceeded 15% of RI(Recommended Intake) but there were significant differences in the contents of energy (p<0.05), protein (p<0.05), fat (p<0.05), carbohydrate (p<0.05) and calcium (p<0.001) between the child care centers. Especially, the difference of calcium between the child care centers was 344.84 mg. These results indicate that a program of relevant nutritional education focusing on snacks needs to be developed for child care teachers, with a special recognition on correct calcium level.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

The objectives of this study were to assess food behavior and nutritional status of preschool children by using the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children and children's growth index. The subjects for this study were 424, 5-year old children, who enrolled in child-care centers (n = 219) and kindergartens (n = 205) in Nowon-gu, Seoul. The NQ was examined by NQ questionnaire which consisted of 19 food behavior checklist items. Their items were grouped into 5 categories: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. Children's anthropometric measurements were performed by using InBody J05. All data were statistically analyzed by SAS 9.3 and significant difference was evaluated by Student's t-test and ${\chi}^2$-test. The rates of overweight and obesity for subjects were 11.1% and 3.3%, respectively. Total NQ score of the subjects was 65.1, which was within medium grade. The NQ score of kindergartens (66.1) was higher than that of child-care center (64.2), showing significant difference by institution type. In addition, the NQ score of obesity was significantly lower than that of normal weight subjects. The scores of balance (p < 0.05) and regularity factor (p < 0.001) were higher in kindergarten compared to child-care center. Particularly, the frequency of consumption of white milk and Ramyeon was higher (p < 0.001) and lower (p < 0.05) respectively in kindergarten compared to child-care center. Frequencies of meal regularity (P < 0.01) and breakfast eating (p < 0.001) were also higher in kindergarten compared to child-care center. These results indicate that kindergarten's children had better eating habits than those of child-care center. Overall analysis of items for food behavior checklists implies that children in Nowon-gu are short of vegetables consumption. Therefore, children and their parents need proper nutrition education and counseling to correct their eating habits and to improve their nutritional status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2021

Purpose: Previous studies have reported the difference in nutritional status between South and North Korean infants and young children (IYC). Clear understanding on the nature of such differences is essential for planning food and nutrition policies and programs to prepare for a possible re-unification of the two Koreas in future. This study was undertaken to yield valid statistics comparing the nutritional status between North and South Korean IYC. Methods: Raw data obtained from the 2017 Korean National Growth Chart and the 2013-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed to determine the comparable statistics that include weight for age z-score (WAZ), height for age z-score (HAZ) and weight for height z-score (WHZ), with data reported in the Survey Findings Report of the 2017 DRP Korea Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. The average weight and height by gender and month were estimated for North Korean IYC and calculated for South Korean IYC. SPSS analysis was applied to evaluate the acquired statistics and compare the nutritional status of South and North Korean IYC. Results: WAZ, HAZ and WHZ of North Korean IYC were observed to be lower than values obtained for South Korean IYC as well as the median values of World Health Organization Child Growth Standards across all ages. Similar patterns were observed for average height and weight. The nutritional status of North Korean IYC revealed a prevalence of highly underweight (9.3%), stunting (19.1%) and wasting (2.5%) values, and was determined to be significantly lower than values obtained for South Korean IYC (0.8%, 1.8%, and 0.7%, respectively). Conclusion: This study has yielded valid statistics that compare the nutritional status of North and South Korean IYC. Results of this study confirm the prevalence of nutritional status difference between South and North Korea.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.176-186
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the nutritional status of ethnic (belonging to minority groups) preschool children in Northern Thailand. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the sample group included 147 parents and 147 preschool children (2-6 years old). Participants volunteered to complete a questionnaire on the personal information of children and parents, as well as family- and school-related factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a nutritional status calculator, and logistic regression analysis. Results: A birth weight of less than 2,500 g was related to weight-for-age and weight-for-height. Not having been breastfed and having been breastfed for less than 6 months were related to weight-for-height. An elementary school education level among parents was related to children's height-for-age. Familial unhealthy food consumption for 1-2 days per week was related to weight-for-age and height-for-age. Conclusion: This study reflects the importance of nutritional care for children at the beginning of pregnancy and continuing to the preschool age, as well as the importance of breastfeeding. Families were found to be a key factor in supporting good nutrition among children.