[Risk factors for anorexia in children].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the risk factors for anorexia in children, and to reduce the prevalence of anorexia in children.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey and a case-control study were used to collect the general information of 150 children with anorexia (case group) and 150 normal children (control group). Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis were performed to identify the risk factors for anorexia in children.


RESULTS
The results of the univariate analysis showed significant differences between the case and control groups in the age in months when supplementary food were added, feeding pattern, whether they liked meat, vegetables and salty food, whether they often took snacks and beverages, whether they liked to play while eating, and whether their parents asked them to eat food on time (P<0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that late addition of supplementary food (OR=5.408), high frequency of taking snacks and/or drinks (OR=11.813), and eating while playing (OR=6.654) were major risk factors for anorexia in children. Liking of meat (OR=0.093) and vegetables (OR=0.272) and eating on time required by parents (OR=0.079) were protective factors against anorexia in children.


CONCLUSIONS
Timely addition of supplementary food, a proper diet, and development of children's proper eating and living habits can reduce the incidence of anorexia in children.
School of Public Health, Taishan Medical University, Tai'an, Shandong 271000, China. qfzhang@tsmc.edu.cn.
Wei-Xiao
WX
Liu
Jun-Feng
JF
Lang
Qin-Feng
QF
Zhang
D000855:Anorexia / Q000209:etiology*; D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors