Evaluation of Maternal Attitudes Towards The Nutrition of Pre-School Children

Tuğba Cengiz; Selen Özakar Akça

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1236613

EN

Evaluation of Maternal Attitudes Towards The Nutrition of Pre-School Children

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the attitudes of mothers with pre-school children towards child nutrition and to determine the relationship between these attitudes of mothers and the children's body mass index (BMI). Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with mothers of children aged 4-6 years in kindergartens. The data were collected by using the Mother Descriptive Characteristics Form, Child Descriptive Characteristics Form" and " Mother’s Attitudes Towards the Feeding Process Scale (MATFPS). BMI (kg/m2) of all children was determined. Results: In the study, MATFPS total mean score of mothers with pre-school children was 60.09±17.60, and mothers' attitudes towards the feeding process were at a good level. MATFPS mean score of mothers of children with a birth weight of 1000-2000 grams was statistically significantly higher than those with a birth weight of 2001-3000, 3001-4000 and 4001-5000 grams (p<0.01). According to the BMI of the children of the mothers participating in the study, 19.4% were underweight, 10.0% were at underweight risk, 47.6% were healthy, 10.5% were slightly obese, and 12.0% were obese; the difference between the mean scores of the mothers and the BMIs of the children is highly significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Mothers' attitudes towards the feeding process are at a good level. However, the low birth weight causes the negative attitudes in mothers towards the feeding process. Again, BMI which is an indicator of growth and development in children, negatively affects maternal attitudes in the feeding process. Pediatric nurses can provide counseling to mothers in order to develop positive attitudes.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Yok

Project Number

Yok

Thanks

We would like to thank all participating nursing who took the time to complete the questionnaires and made this study possible.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Tuğba Cengiz
0000-0001-6602-4089
Türkiye

Selen Özakar Akça ^*
0000-0002-6943-6713
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 17, 2023

Submission Date

January 17, 2023

Acceptance Date

February 19, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 14 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1236613

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA46JG56UY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Cengiz T, Özakar Akça S (March 1, 2023) Evaluation of Maternal Attitudes Towards The Nutrition of Pre-School Children. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 14 2 250–256.