Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkish Journal of Pediatrics, cilt.67, sa.5, ss.657-668, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
Background. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the dietary adequacy and growth patterns of children considered to have a poor appetite by their mothers and to compare these findings with established reference values. Methods. A total of 200 volunteer mothers who applied because they thought their children (2-9 years) had poor appetites participated in the study. Maternal reports were obtained through a comprehensive questionnaire, encompassing socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), anthropometric measurements, and three-day food consumption records. Children’s anthropometric measurements were evaluated according to z-scores based on the World Health Organization standards, and daily energy and nutrient intake amounts were determined from food consumption records. Dietary adequacy was calculated according to dietary reference intakes (DRI). Results. It was found that 90.5% of the children had normal height, and 6.0% were stunted/severely stunted. According to body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores (BAZ), 92.5% of the children had normal weight. All mothers perceived that their children had poor appetite, and 55% also believed their children to be underweight, whereas objective measurements indicated that 90% of these children had normal weight. The scores of sub-dimensions of “Food Responsiveness” and “Emotional Overeating” of CEBQ for girls (12.6±2.7 and 9.6±2.3, respectively) were significantly higher than those for boys (11.2±2.8 and 8.7±2.4, respectively) (p<0.05). Regarding dietary adequacy, both boys and girls met their daily energy (91.4±8.5% and 88.3±7.8%, respectively) and protein requirements (196.4±47.7% and 210,3±41,8%, respectively). However, fiber, folate, and potassium intakes were relatively low in both sexes. The mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was significantly higher in boys (145.0±16.0) than girls (140.2±15.7). Nonetheless, the MAR values for both sexes were notably high, suggesting an adequate nutrient intake overall. There was a significant weak positive correlation between children’s daily protein intake and z-scores of weight, height and BMI for age. Similarly, a significant weak positive correlation was observed between calcium and iron intake and BAZ. Conclusions. This study highlighted divergence between perceived and objective nutritional assessments in this population. Comprehensive evaluation, including anthropometric and dietary data, is needed to accurately characterize children’s status.