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- Title
Mother employment status and nutritional patterns in Japanese junior high schoolchildren.
- Authors
Gaina, A.; Sekine, M.; Chandola, T.; Marmot, M.; Kagamimori, S.
- Abstract
Aims:To investigate associations between mothers' employment (full, part time and no employment) and nutrition habits (regularity of breakfast, snack, dinner, meal speed and portion size) in a sample of Japanese junior high schoolchildren, 12–13 years of age.Methods:A total of 10 453 children aged 12–13 years from the Toyama birth cohort study (fourth phase) participated, of whom 8906 children (89% response rate) responded to all questions related to the examined variables. Nutrition habits consisted of breakfast, snack, dinner, meal speed and meal portion. Children's obesity/overweight was measured by body mass index (BMI).Results:Fathers' employment had no effect on their children's nutrition patterns. Children of full-time employed mothers were the most likely to snack and to skip dinner. Children of part-time employed mothers ate larger meal portions, and those of non-employed mothers reported faster meal speeds. BMI was significantly (P<0.001) higher among children of full-time employed mothers (19.3), and lowest among non-employed mothers (19.00). Children of full-time employed mothers are more likely to be overweight, but not obese compared with other children.Conclusion:There was a strong relationship between mother's employment and nutrition patterns in this cohort of Japanese schoolchildren; special programs focused on children's nutrition patterns should take into account the mothers' employment status.International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 753–757; doi:10.1038/ijo.2009.103; published online 16 June 2009
- Subjects
JAPAN; MOTHERS; EMPLOYMENT; NUTRITIONAL requirements; SCHOOL children
- Publication
International Journal of Obesity, 2009, Vol 33, Issue 7, p753
- ISSN
0307-0565
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/ijo.2009.103