Pre-school children growth status in relation to feeding habits in Zagazig city

Objectives: to explore the relation between growth status of pre-school children and their feeding habits in Zagazig city through assessment of some anthropometric measurements and some feeding problems and Determining feeding behavior and food preferences among the studied children.Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on children aged (1-5) years in Zagazig city in which two nurseries from the east and two from the west were selected by multistage random techniques. It was conducted during the period from May to August 2009.Data was collected through a constructed interview questionnaire and taking anthropometric measurements.Results: The percentage of stunting, underweight, wasting and overweight were 8.8%, 10.7%, 6.3% and 6.5% respectively. No significant association between child’s feeding history and the weight status. Children having history of fever or vomiting in the last month were at higher risk to be underweight. Mothers of underweight children asked for medical consultation significantly more than others. Children taking breakfast, preferring a specific type of food and accepting new types of food were significantly protected to be underweight. Children taking unhealthy fast food were significantly at higher risk to be either under weight or overweight. Children taking breakfast, taking a meal in nursery, and accepting a new type of food were significantly protected against stuntingConclusion and recommendation: There were some inspiring results as the habits of preferring specific types of food and taking meals with the family, taking breakfast and accepting new types of food. This reveals the importance of insisting on the child to try new food, having breakfast and healthy snacks instead of fast foods and sweetened drinks which could harm them.Key words: Growth status, feeding habits, feeding problems, advertising, child’s nutrition and malnutrition, healthy snacks.