Associations Between 10–14-year-old Children’s Eating Competence, Dietary Patterns, and Dietary Quality

Examining the connections between eating competence (EC) and dietary quality helps to identify potential ways to promote healthy eating habits. The evidence on the relationship between children’s EC and dietary quality is limited. This thesis examined the associations between 10–14-year-old children’s EC, dietary patterns, and dietary quality. Additionally, it explored how caregivers’ socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with the children’s EC. This cross-sectional study used data from the DAGIS Next study. The sample consisted of 223 children and their families. EC was assessed with a 16-item Satter Eating Competence Inventory tool. Children’s food consumption was assessed with a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), from which two dietary patterns were found through Principal Component Analysis. Dietary quality was assessed with a Healthy Food Intake Index (HFII), which was calculated based on 33 FFQ items. SES was measured with the highest family education level and relative household income. Linear regression, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi-square tests were used to examine the associations between EC, diet, and family SES. Results showed that EC was positively associated with a Health-conscious dietary pattern (B=0.045, 95% CI 0.024, 0.064, p<0.001) and the HFII (B=0.120, 95% CI 0.074, 0.165, p<0.001), and inversely associated with a Meat-and-discretionary-foods dietary pattern (B=-0.033, 95% CI -0.055, -0.011, p=0.01). SES (parental education and relative household income) was not associated with the children’s EC. In conclusion, higher EC was associated with a more healthful diet. Daycare centers and schools should more strongly incorporate EC into nutrition education and emphasize its significance in children’s health promotion.

Grantor dc:publisher

Helsingin yliopisto

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Leivo, Sonja

• sosioekonominen asema
• lapset
• syömisen taito
• ruokavalion laatu

Statement dc:rights

• CC BY 4.0

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10138/597513

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:helda.helsinki.fi:10138/597513