Anthropometrical Measurements and Relative Eating Behaviors of Taitung Aboriginal and Non-aboriginal Children

• Main Authors: Pi-Hui Sheu, 許碧惠
• Other Authors: Tzeng Min-Su
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/54818168818014548131

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 食品營養學系 === 90 === The objectives of this study were to understand the differences between Taitung aboriginal and non-aboriginal children in anthropometrical measurements and related eating behaviors. The cluster sampling method was used to sample 785 children aged 9-11 year-old, from 10 elementary schools in Taitung city, Tamari, and Kuanshian town in 2001. There were 291 aborigines and 494 non-aborigines in this study. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and percent of body fat of the children were measured. The 10 year-old non-aboriginal male children were significantly taller than the same age aboriginal male children. The height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and percent body fat of 11 year-old non-aboriginal male children were significantly higher than those of the aboriginal male children. No differences of anthropometrical measurements were found between two ethnic female children. BMI had significantly positive correlation with waist circumference, hip circumference, and percent body fat. The percent body fat also positively correlated with waist circumference and hip circumference. By defining obesity as BMI higher than 95th percentile of BMI-for-age curve, the prevalence of obesity of the 9-11 year-old Taitung male children were 15.4%, 20.2%, and 22.3% respectively, and 15.2%, 10.1%, 12.0% for female children. The prevalence of obesity of male children was higher than that of female children. The prevalence rates of obesity were 22.1% for non-aboriginal male, 15.3% for aboriginal male, 14.9% for non-aboriginal female, and 10.3﹪for non-aboriginal female. The prevalence rate of obesity among school children in this study, especially male children, was higher compared to that of nationwide survey at the same area in 1993-1996. Aboriginal children ate breakfast outside, and skipped their lunch and supper more frequently than non-aboriginal children. The aboriginal children preferred high calorie, high fat foods, and sugar containing drinks to non-aboriginal children. There were also differences on mealtime expense and the habits of eating dessert and snack. Relationship between mealtime expense and overweight, eat faster was at higher risk for overweight (OR=1.33, P<0.05). Aboriginal children tended to eat more when they were in a bad mood, high spirits, having good performance, and being scolded. Non-aborigine children spent more time on computer games, home assignment or extracurricular skill lessons after school than aboriginal children. While aboriginal children preferred sports, jogging, bicycling, and roller-skating for after school physical activities. Children watching longer television were also at higher risk for overweight (OR=1.25, P<0.05). In conclusion, aboriginal children may need more nutrition education on food selection, slow eating, and emotion-induced eating behaviors modification. While non-aboriginal children need to increase their physical activities to prevent obesity.