Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early Childhood
Trace elements are vital components for healthy growth, development, and physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between trace element (iron, zinc, copper) deficiencies and picky eating behavior, development level, and physical activity level. This cross-sectiona...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/7/2295 |
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| author | Hsun-Chin Chao Jang-Jih Lu Chang-Yo Yang Pai-Jui Yeh Shih-Ming Chu |
| author_facet | Hsun-Chin Chao Jang-Jih Lu Chang-Yo Yang Pai-Jui Yeh Shih-Ming Chu |
| author_sort | Hsun-Chin Chao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Trace elements are vital components for healthy growth, development, and physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between trace element (iron, zinc, copper) deficiencies and picky eating behavior, development level, and physical activity level. This cross-sectional study involved 203 children aged 4–7 years; picky eating behavior, development level, and physical activity level were assessed through questionnaires. Zinc deficiency has the highest prevalence (37.4%); 67.5% of the children were assessed as picky eaters. Children with picky eating behaviors, poor development level, or poor physical activity level have significantly lower zinc levels, and higher prevalence of zinc deficiency. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a positive correlation between serum zinc level and development scores (<i>r</i> = 0.221, <i>p</i> = 0.002) and physical activity scores (<i>r</i> = 0.469, <i>p</i> < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, zinc deficiency independently related to picky eating (OR = 2.124, <i>p</i> = 0.037, CI = 1.042–4.312), developmental level (OR = 0.893, <i>p</i> = 0.022, CI = 0.810–0.984), and physical activity level (OR = 0.785, <i>p</i> < 0.001, CI = 0.700–0.879). In conclusion, the prevalence of zinc deficiency in children aged 4–7 was high, especially in picky eaters. Zinc deficiency was significantly associated with low development and poor physical activity in early childhood. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:29:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d3804a7bbab946f4babb27c08acdc716 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:29:54Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-d3804a7bbab946f4babb27c08acdc7162023-11-22T04:35:20ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-07-01137229510.3390/nu13072295Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early ChildhoodHsun-Chin Chao0Jang-Jih Lu1Chang-Yo Yang2Pai-Jui Yeh3Shih-Ming Chu4Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children’s Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City 33305, TaiwanCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, TaiwanCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, TaiwanDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children’s Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City 33305, TaiwanCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, TaiwanTrace elements are vital components for healthy growth, development, and physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between trace element (iron, zinc, copper) deficiencies and picky eating behavior, development level, and physical activity level. This cross-sectional study involved 203 children aged 4–7 years; picky eating behavior, development level, and physical activity level were assessed through questionnaires. Zinc deficiency has the highest prevalence (37.4%); 67.5% of the children were assessed as picky eaters. Children with picky eating behaviors, poor development level, or poor physical activity level have significantly lower zinc levels, and higher prevalence of zinc deficiency. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a positive correlation between serum zinc level and development scores (<i>r</i> = 0.221, <i>p</i> = 0.002) and physical activity scores (<i>r</i> = 0.469, <i>p</i> < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, zinc deficiency independently related to picky eating (OR = 2.124, <i>p</i> = 0.037, CI = 1.042–4.312), developmental level (OR = 0.893, <i>p</i> = 0.022, CI = 0.810–0.984), and physical activity level (OR = 0.785, <i>p</i> < 0.001, CI = 0.700–0.879). In conclusion, the prevalence of zinc deficiency in children aged 4–7 was high, especially in picky eaters. Zinc deficiency was significantly associated with low development and poor physical activity in early childhood.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/7/2295trace elementpicky eating behaviordevelopmentphysical activityearly childhood |
| spellingShingle | Hsun-Chin Chao Jang-Jih Lu Chang-Yo Yang Pai-Jui Yeh Shih-Ming Chu Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early Childhood Nutrients trace element picky eating behavior development physical activity early childhood |
| title | Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early Childhood |
| title_full | Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early Childhood |
| title_fullStr | Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early Childhood |
| title_full_unstemmed | Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early Childhood |
| title_short | Serum Trace Element Levels and Their Correlation with Picky Eating Behavior, Development, and Physical Activity in Early Childhood |
| title_sort | serum trace element levels and their correlation with picky eating behavior development and physical activity in early childhood |
| topic | trace element picky eating behavior development physical activity early childhood |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/7/2295 |
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