Eating Vegetables First at Start of Meal and Food Intake among Preschool Children in Japan

Abstract

Eating behavior is an important aspect for dietary quality and long-term health. This study examined associations between eating vegetables first at a meal and food intakes among preschool children in Tokyo, Japan. We used cross-sectional data of 135 preschool children from seven nursery schools in Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan. Caregivers completed a survey on child’s eating behaviors and a diet questionnaire. Linear regression was used to examine frequency of eating vegetables first at a meal and food intakes; percent difference and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were presented. Overall, 25.2% of children reported eating vegetables first at a meal every time, 52.6% sometimes, and 22.2% not often or never. In the multivariate analysis, higher vegetable intake remained significant after adjusting for other covariates (compared with the group of eating vegetables first not often or never, the group reported sometimes: 27%, 95% CI: 0–63%; the group reported every time: 93%, 95% CI: 43–159%). No significant difference in intake by frequency categories of eating vegetables first was observed for other food groups, including fruits, meat, fish, cereals, and sweets. Children eating vegetables first at a meal more was associated with higher total intake of vegetables compared with children who did not eat vegetables first, among Japanese preschool children.

Association of Nursery School-Level Promotion of Vegetable Eating with Caregiver-Reported Vegetable Consumption Behaviours among Preschool Children: A Multilevel Analysis of Japanese Children

“…School-level promotion of eating vegetables first at meals was associated with better eating behaviours related to vegetable intake among children. This finding is consistent with the result of a previous study examining the effect of the individual-level variable of eating vegetables first at meals on diet [ 23 ]. A study among Japanese preschool children showed that children who more often ate vegetables first at meals consumed 148 g of vegetables per 1000 kcal, which was much higher than the 68.0 g of vegetables per 1000 kcal consumed by children who rarely or never ate vegetables first at meals [ 23 ].…”

“…This finding is consistent with the result of a previous study examining the effect of the individual-level variable of eating vegetables first at meals on diet [ 23 ]. A study among Japanese preschool children showed that children who more often ate vegetables first at meals consumed 148 g of vegetables per 1000 kcal, which was much higher than the 68.0 g of vegetables per 1000 kcal consumed by children who rarely or never ate vegetables first at meals [ 23 ]. In our study, we found that school-level promotion of eating vegetables first at meals was associated with higher willingness to eat vegetables and an increase in the kinds of vegetables children would eat.…”

Eating order and childhood obesity among preschoolers in China: A cross-sectional study

“…The consumption of vegetables first may have greater benefits than other alternatives. A Japanese study showed that children who ate vegetables first had a higher total vegetable intake than those who did not eat vegetables first ( 29 ). A study in the United States reported similar results ( 10 ).…”

“…Eating vegetables first led to increased vegetable intake and reduced food energy intake ( 10 ). The vegetable intake of children who ate vegetables first was 93% higher than of that in children who do not often or never eat vegetables first ( 29 ). In addition to children, eating vegetables also has many advantages for adults.…”

Tėvų Elgsena Ugdant Vaikų Sveikatai Palankios Mitybos Įpročius

“…Mokslinių tyrimų duomenys atskleidė, kad dažnesnis vaisių ir daržovių vartojimas kūdikystėje yra reikšmingai susijęs su didesniu vaisių ir daržovių pasirinkimu ir didesniu šių produktų vartojimu sulaukus šešerių metų. Ir, atvirkščiai, nesveikas mitybos elgesys ankstyvoje vaikystėje, toks kaip cukrumi saldintų gėrimų vartojimas, gali padidinti šių produktų vartojimą vėlesniame vaikystės etape ir didinti nutukimo riziką ateityje [1,2,6].…”