Dietary patterns and their associations with overweight/obesity among preschool children in Dongcheng District of Beijing: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Few studies investigated the associations between dietary patterns and overweight/obesity among Chinese preschool children. Thus, the study aims to explore dietary patterns and their associations with overweight/obesity among preschool children in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. Methods With a stratified proportionate cluster sampling, the study included 3373 pairs of preschool children and their guardians. Children’s weight and height were measured by school nurses, and their food and beverage consumption frequencies were reported by guardians via a food frequency questionnaire. Children’s age, gender, physical activity time, and sedentary time, as well as their parents’ highest level of educational attainment, occupation, weight, and height were also collected. Dietary patterns were identified through exploratory factor analysis. Among these identified dietary patterns, the one with the largest factor score was defined as the predominant dietary pattern for each child. The associations between predominant dietary patterns and overweight/obesity were tested by two-level random-intercept logistic models with cluster-robust standard errors. Results Four dietary patterns, i.e., a “Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and snack” pattern, a “Chinese traditional” pattern, a “Health conscious” pattern, and a “Snack” pattern, were identified. Among the children, 21.02% (95% CI: 19.68 to 22.43%) were predominated by the “SSB and snack” pattern, 27.78% (95% CI: 26.29 to 29.32%) by the “Chinese traditional” pattern, 24.90% (95% CI: 23.47 to 26.39%) by the “Health conscious” pattern, and 26.30% (95% CI: 24.84 to 27.81%) by the “Snack” pattern. After controlling for potential confounders, the “SSB and snack” pattern characterized by fresh fruit/vegetable juice, flavored milk drinks, carbonated drinks, flavored fruit/vegetable drinks, tea drinks, plant-protein drinks, puffed foods, fried foods, and Western fast foods was associated with a higher risk of overweight/obesity (OR: 1.61, 95% CI:1.09 to 2.38), compared with the “Chinese traditional” pattern. Conclusions The preference for dietary patterns with high energy density but low nutritional value was prevalent among preschool children in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. Comprehensive measures to simultaneously reduce consumption of SSBs and unhealthy snacks among preschool children should be taken urgently to address the childhood obesity problem in China, particularly in metropolises.

Impact of Obesogenic Environments on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Preschoolers: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Beijing

“…This study used data collected in June 2019 from a repeated cross-sectional study [ 27 ] that aimed to assess obesity and related behaviors among preschoolers in local kindergartens in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Dongcheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention (DCCDPCIRB20180416–1).…”

“…The inclusion criteria were caregivers of children in the first and second grades of the chosen fifteen kindergartens with written informed consent. A detailed description of the sampling procedures was published elsewhere [ 27 ].…”

Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Body Mass Index and Emotional Intelligence in Primary Education Students—An Explanatory Model as a Function of Weekly Physical Activity

“…[ 7 ]. Food availability is one of factors leading to a worsening of dietary habits [ 8 ]. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by the intake of specific food varieties, especially wholegrains, olive oil, dairy products, bread, fruits and vegetables [ 9 ].…”

Association between Parents’ Perceptions of Preschool Children’s Weight, Feeding Practices and Children’s Dietary Patterns: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

“…Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis using the principal component method with varimax rotation. Factor analysis is a classic method to identify dietary patterns, and is widely used in Chinese preschool children [10,[42][43][44]. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) = 0.926, and Bartlett's sphericity test p < 0.001, indicating that the sample was suitable for factor analysis.…”

“…Daily eating occasions and energy intake from snacks has increased significantly among Chinese preschoolers [9]. The dietary pattern characterized by sugary drinks, savory snacks, and fast foods has become Nutrients 2021, 13, 3767 2 of 14 prevalent among Chinese preschoolers, which is associated with a higher risk of adiposity as compared to the traditional dietary pattern [10].…”