Parental and self-reported dietary and physical activity habits in pre-school children and their socio-economic determinants.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the agreement between self-reported and parent-reported dietary and physical activity habits in children; and to evaluate the socio-economic determinants of healthier habits (Mediterranean diet and physical activity) among children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of children recruited to a cluster-randomized controlled trial (Program SI!). Information about children's and parents' dietary and physical activity habits was obtained through validated questionnaires (Program SI! questionnaires, Kidmed, Krece Plus and Predimed scores).


METHODS
Twenty-four schools in Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
Children (n 2062) aged 3-5 years and their parents (n 1949).


RESULTS
There was positive agreement between parental- and self-reporting for three of the six children's habits examined. Parents' dietary and physical activity patterns were associated with those of their children. The main determinants of higher scores in children were higher parental age, the mother's scores, Spanish origin and higher awareness of human health (P<0·005). Children from parents with a low educational level had lower odds for scoring positively on items such as using olive oil (OR=0·23; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·41) and not skipping breakfast (OR=0·36; 95 % CI 0·23, 0·55), but higher odds for meeting the recommendations for consuming pulses (OR=1·71; 95 % CI 1·14, 2·55). Other habits being influenced by parental socio-economic status included the consumption of vegetables, fish, nuts, avoidance of fast food, and consumption of bakery products for breakfast.


CONCLUSIONS
Children's habits may be influenced by their parents' health awareness and other socio-economic characteristics. These findings suggest that intervention strategies, even in very young children, should also target parents in order to achieve maximum success.
1Department of Epidemiology,Atherothrombosis and Imaging,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC),28029 Madrid,Spain.
Mercedes
M
Sotos-Prieto
1Department of Epidemiology,Atherothrombosis and Imaging,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC),28029 Madrid,Spain.
Gloria
G
Santos-Beneit
1Department of Epidemiology,Atherothrombosis and Imaging,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC),28029 Madrid,Spain.
Stuart
S
Pocock
1Department of Epidemiology,Atherothrombosis and Imaging,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC),28029 Madrid,Spain.
Juliana
J
Redondo
1Department of Epidemiology,Atherothrombosis and Imaging,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC),28029 Madrid,Spain.
Valentín
V
Fuster
1Department of Epidemiology,Atherothrombosis and Imaging,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC),28029 Madrid,Spain.
José L
JL
Peñalvo
D002652:Child Behavior; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009043:Motor Activity; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010290:Parents; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D014505:Urban Population
Healthy behaviours; Parental education; Pre-school children; Socio-economic status