Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Dietary patterns influence children and adolescents’ health not only in the present but also in their adulthood. Family characteristics and functioning play a crucial role in food choices and are important modifiable factors for early interventions aimed at preventing unhealthy d...

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Main Authors: Shiqi Luo, Shujuan Liao, Biru Luo, Anqi Xiong, Wenlin Ma, Li Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21068-6
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author Shiqi Luo
Shujuan Liao
Biru Luo
Anqi Xiong
Wenlin Ma
Li Zhao
author_facet Shiqi Luo
Shujuan Liao
Biru Luo
Anqi Xiong
Wenlin Ma
Li Zhao
author_sort Shiqi Luo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Dietary patterns influence children and adolescents’ health not only in the present but also in their adulthood. Family characteristics and functioning play a crucial role in food choices and are important modifiable factors for early interventions aimed at preventing unhealthy diets. Objective The study aimed to analyze the dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and explore their associations with family characteristics and functioning. Methods 6276 participants aged 6 to 17 years were recruited for the multicenter cross-sectional study through cluster sampling. Food intake, family characteristics, and family function were assessed. Dietary patterns were identified through factor analysis based on food intake data, and a multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the associations between dietary patterns, family characteristics, and family functioning. Results Three distinct dietary patterns were identified: the “Diverse dietary pattern” (characterized by a rich diet and balanced nutrition), the “Fast food concentrated dietary pattern” (primarily consisting of fried foods, sugary drinks, processed meats, and other junk food), and the “Traditional dietary pattern” (mainly vegetables and grains). Girls, those living in rural areas, and those with better family functioning were more likely to adhere to the “Diverse dietary pattern” (p < 0.01). Girls, primary school students, and those with lower educated mothers tended to have higher adherence to the “Traditional dietary pattern” (p < 0.01). High adherence to the “Fast food concentrated dietary pattern” were associated with boys, older age, Han ethnicity, family dysfunction, living with both parents, being an only-child, having a better educated father, lower family income, and higher pocket money (p < 0.01). Conclusion Children and adolescents from different family backgrounds exhibit distinct dietary patterns, highlighting the importance of early screening and intervention tailored to these varying family characteristics. Among the modifiable family factors, better family functioning stands out as a key area of focus for promoting and sustaining healthy dietary patterns in Chinese children and adolescents.
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spelling doaj-art-a8b79d1db2444ae69703047826569bd32025-08-20T02:31:50ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-12-0124111110.1186/s12889-024-21068-6Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional studyShiqi Luo0Shujuan Liao1Biru Luo2Anqi Xiong3Wenlin Ma4Li Zhao5Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Health Policy and Management, West China School of Public Health/West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Health Policy and Management, West China School of Public Health/West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityAbstract Background Dietary patterns influence children and adolescents’ health not only in the present but also in their adulthood. Family characteristics and functioning play a crucial role in food choices and are important modifiable factors for early interventions aimed at preventing unhealthy diets. Objective The study aimed to analyze the dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and explore their associations with family characteristics and functioning. Methods 6276 participants aged 6 to 17 years were recruited for the multicenter cross-sectional study through cluster sampling. Food intake, family characteristics, and family function were assessed. Dietary patterns were identified through factor analysis based on food intake data, and a multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the associations between dietary patterns, family characteristics, and family functioning. Results Three distinct dietary patterns were identified: the “Diverse dietary pattern” (characterized by a rich diet and balanced nutrition), the “Fast food concentrated dietary pattern” (primarily consisting of fried foods, sugary drinks, processed meats, and other junk food), and the “Traditional dietary pattern” (mainly vegetables and grains). Girls, those living in rural areas, and those with better family functioning were more likely to adhere to the “Diverse dietary pattern” (p < 0.01). Girls, primary school students, and those with lower educated mothers tended to have higher adherence to the “Traditional dietary pattern” (p < 0.01). High adherence to the “Fast food concentrated dietary pattern” were associated with boys, older age, Han ethnicity, family dysfunction, living with both parents, being an only-child, having a better educated father, lower family income, and higher pocket money (p < 0.01). Conclusion Children and adolescents from different family backgrounds exhibit distinct dietary patterns, highlighting the importance of early screening and intervention tailored to these varying family characteristics. Among the modifiable family factors, better family functioning stands out as a key area of focus for promoting and sustaining healthy dietary patterns in Chinese children and adolescents.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21068-6dietary patternsfamily functionfamily characteristicschildrenadolescents
spellingShingle Shiqi Luo
Shujuan Liao
Biru Luo
Anqi Xiong
Wenlin Ma
Li Zhao
Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study
BMC Public Health
dietary patterns
family function
family characteristics
children
adolescents
title Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_full Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_short Dietary patterns of Chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning: a multicenter cross-sectional study
title_sort dietary patterns of chinese children and adolescents and their associations with family characteristics and functioning a multicenter cross sectional study
topic dietary patterns
family function
family characteristics
children
adolescents
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21068-6
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