Factors associated with nutritional status and motor development among young children

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional status and gross motor development of children in a suburban area of northeast China and the factors influencing these issues. A total of 189 children aged 1–3 years and their mothers participated. Child and maternal length/height and weight were measured. Information was collected on basic characteristics, household monthly income, child's age at achievement of six gross motor milestones, and feeding practices by interviewing the mothers/caregivers. The prevalence of overweight (using World Health Organization growth standards) and delayed achievement of walking alone among the children was 27% and 12.7%, respectively. The independent predictors of increased odds for being overweight were middle household income and high dietary diversity score. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with lower odds of children being overweight. Delayed solid feeding initiation was associated with increased odds of delay in walking alone for the children. Breastfeeding predicted reduced odds of this issue. These findings suggest that nutritional intervention and childcare education, such as breastfeeding promotion, improved diet quality, and the timely introduction of solid food, could improve growth and development among young children in suburban northeast China.

Development of eating skills in infants and toddlers from a neuropediatric perspective

“…Finally, independent access to food becomes possible (finger food), which is appropriately provided [ 25 ]. For the developmental readiness for ‘eating by oneself’ with finger food, the motor skills and coordination of the arm and hand/fingers must be sufficiently developed in addition to the gross motor skills for sitting without support [ 26 ]. Towards the end of the first year of life, infants acquire further skills to accept thicker and chunkier food with the spoon.…”

“…The causes of dysphagia in children often differ from those seen in adult patients. Diagnosis and management of dysphagia must be tailored to the clinical characteristics of the individual patient [ 26 , 41 , 42 ].…”