Peer-reviewed article
The association between family economic status and nutrient intake among preschool children attending nursery schools in Japan.
Sakai A, Yoshita K, Takahashi T, Okabe T, Sasaki R et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how family income relates to nutrition in 761 Japanese preschool children aged 3 to 6 years. Children from lower-income families consumed less protein and more carbohydrates, and had higher rates of inadequate intake of vitamin A, calcium, and iron compared to higher-income peers. The findings suggest that economic status significantly affects the nutritional quality of young children's diets in Japan.
Key points
- Children in low equivalent income groups had lower percentage of energy from protein and higher from carbohydrates
- Higher prevalence of nutrient inadequacy for vitamin A, calcium, and iron in the low income group
- Dietary data collected over four days (two weekdays and two weekend days) between October-December 2019-2020
- Nutrient inadequacy evaluated using Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) 2020
- Authors recommend collaboration among families, dietitians and local governments to support healthy eating in early childhood
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study, so it cannot establish causation or determine whether low income causes poor nutrition or if other factors explain both. The study only examined children in nursery schools, which may not represent all preschool children or those not attending formal care.
Abstract
Background and objectives This cross-sectional study investigated the association between equivalent income and energy and nutrient intake among nursery school children. Methods and study design A total of 761 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years participated. Energy and nutrient intakes were calculated using four-day food records consisting of two non-consecutive weekdays and two non-consecutive weekend days, collected between October and December in 2019 and 2020. Equivalent income was calculated by dividing household income by the square root of the number of household members. Nutrient inadequacy was evaluated using the DRIs for Japanese (2020). Analysis of covariance was used to compare intakes among equivalent income groups, and χ2 tests were used to compare the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy. Analyses were conducted separately by sex, with significance set at p <0.05. Results Children in the low equivalent income group had a lower percentage of energy from protein, a higher percentage from carbohydrates, and lower intakes of several nutrients. Evaluations based on the DRIs showed higher prevalence of nutrient inadequacy including vitamin A, calcium and iron in the low equivalent income group. Conclusions These findings suggest a significant association between household economic status and dietary intake among preschool children in Japanese nursery schools. Collaboration among families, dietitians and local governments is essential to promote healthy eating habits in early childhood.