The Relationship between Child Eating Behaviour with Body Mass Index among Toddlers Aged Two to Four Years Old

Abstract

Children eating behaviour was hypothesised as one of the factors associated with growth development as well as malnutrition among toddlers. This study aimed to explore the relationship between child eating behaviour among toddlers aged two to four years old and their respective Body Mass Index (BMI) or BMI for Age Z (BAZ). A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents and caregivers with toddlers between two to four years old, in the Klang Valley. The validated Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) was used to measure their child eating habit and behaviours. A total of 96 parents or caregivers of toddlers participated. Girls had lower BAZ than boys (-1.20 vs -0.15, p=0.030), and significantly higher satiety responsiveness and food fussiness scores (3.14 vs 2.80, p=0.005 and 2.83 vs 2.44, p=0.005 respectively). Emotional overeating had opposite effects on BMI and BAZ between genders. In this study, girls aged two to four year old had lower BMI and BAZ than boys; and demonstrated higher food avoidance behaviour. Emotional overeating is associated with opposite effects on BMI and BAZ between boys and girls. Among all toddlers, satiety responsiveness and food fussiness were associated with lower BAZ.