Dietary patterns of 5-year-old children and their correlates: findings from a multi-ethnic Asian cohort

There is limited data on the dietary patterns of 5-year-old children in Asia. The study examined childhood dietary patterns and their maternal and child correlates in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort. Based on caregiver-reported 1-month quantitative FFQ of 777 children from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort, cluster analysis identified two mutually exclusive clusters. Children in the 'Unhealthy' cluster (43 center dot 9 %) consumed more fries, processed meat, biscuits and ice cream, and less fish, fruits and vegetables compared with those in the 'Healthy' cluster (56 center dot 1 %). Children with mothers of lower educational attainment had twice the odds of being assigned to the 'Unhealthy' cluster (adjusted OR (95 % CI) = 2 center dot 19 (95 % CI 1 center dot 49-3 center dot 24)). Children of Malay and Indian ethnicities had higher odds of being assigned to the 'Unhealthy' cluster (adjusted OR = 25 center dot 46 (95 % CI 15 center dot 40, 42 center dot 10) and 4 center dot 03 (95 % CI 2 center dot 68-6 center dot 06), respectively), relative to Chinese ethnicity. In conclusion, this study identified two dietary patterns in children, labelled as the 'Unhealthy' and 'Healthy' clusters. Mothers' educational attainment and ethnicity were two correlates that were associated with the children's assignments to the clusters. These findings can assist in informing health promotion programmes targeted at Asian children.