A research on food-related parenting styles of caregivers and the dietary behavior of children in Pingtung region

• Main Authors: Yueh-ching Chou, 周玥靚
• Other Authors: Hueih-Fen Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37476401198049856349

碩士 === 國立臺南大學 === 幼兒教育學系教學碩士班 === 98 === The research objective is to explore the present conditions of food-related parenting styles of caregivers and the dietary behavior of children in Pingtung region. Investigation of how different backgrounds of caregivers affect their food-related parenting styles and the dietary behavior of children was conducted, as well as its relevance to food-related parenting styles of caregivers and the dietary behavior of children. Questionnaires were given to 622 primary caregivers of 3 to 6 years old children. The results were analyzed by the following statistical methods : descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson product-moment correlation. The research results were concluded as following. 1. Pingtung regional child caregivers had significant high scores in attitudes of food-related parenting styles; especially with the feeding attitude as the best. And yet, the knowledge and concept of nutrition needed to be clarified and improved for its importance. The food-related parenting styles of caregivers are appropriate and prone to be authoritative. 2. Pingtung regional children’s dietary behavior was rated moderate and the dietary preference behavior was regarded the best. On the other hand, the feeding process behavior needed the greatest improvement. 3. The attitude of food-related parenting styles of caregivers and dietary behavior of children in Pingtung region had significant difference due to different caregivers, their ages, educational levels, socioeconomic status and family financial conditions, but did not differentiate in terms of the child’s gender. The caregivers’ attitude of food-related parenting styles showed no significant difference towards different age groups of children, but resulted in significant difference in children’ s dietary behavior. 4. The dietary behavior of children in Pingtung region had significant difference correlated to their age difference and caregivers’ socioeconomic status, but did not show significant difference towards different caregivers, their gender, age, educational level and family financial conditions. 5. There was a positive correlation between the food-related parenting styles of caregivers and the dietary behavior of children. When the food-related parenting styles of caregivers are prone to authoritative or authoritarian, the overall dietary behavior of children showed better; while the food-related parenting styles of caregivers are prone to neglectful or indulgent, the overall dietary behavior of children became the least favorable. In conclusion, based on the results of the research findings, proposals are made to the caregivers, educators and further research in the future.