Relationship between maternal employment status and children's food intake in Japan.
10.1186/s12199-021-01026-z
- Author:
Sachie MORI
1
;
Keiko ASAKURA
2
;
Satoshi SASAKI
3
;
Yuji NISHIWAKI
4
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
2. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, Toho University, Omori-Nishi 5-21-16, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan. jzf01334@nifty.ne.jp.
3. Department of Social and Preventive Epidemiology, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
4. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, Toho University, Omori-Nishi 5-21-16, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Dietary attitude;
Family environment;
Food intake;
Maternal employment;
Nutrition knowledge;
Primary school children
- MeSH:
Adult;
Child;
Child Health/standards*;
Diet/standards*;
Diet Surveys;
Employment;
Female;
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice;
Humans;
Japan;
Life Style;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Mothers;
Nutritional Status;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2021;26(1):106-106
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Although long maternal working hours are reported to have a negative effect on children's dietary habits, few studies have investigated this issue in Japan. Healthy dietary habits in childhood are important because they may reduce the risk of future disease. Here, we examined the relationship between maternal employment status and children's dietary intake in 1693 pairs of Japanese primary school 5th and 6th graders and their mothers.
METHODS:The survey was conducted using two questionnaires, a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire and a lifestyle questionnaire. The analysis also considered mothers' and children's nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward diet, and some aspects of family environment.
RESULTS:Longer maternal working hours were associated with children's higher intake of white rice (g/1000kcal) (β 11.4, 95%CI [1.0, 21.9]; working ≥8h vs. not working), lower intake of confectioneries (g/1000kcal) (β -4.0 [-7.6, -0.4]), and higher body mass index (BMI) (kg/m
CONCLUSIONS:Longer maternal working hours were significantly associated with higher intake of white rice and lower intake of confectioneries, as well as higher BMI among children. Even when a mother works, however, it may be possible to improve her child's dietary intake by other means such as nutrition education for children or enhancement of food environment.
