Eating behaviour and nutritional status of children with mental illness.
Dietary preference and childhood eating behaviour influence the mental health of children. Nutrition plays an important role in physical and mental health by supporting the development, normal functioning, and overall well-being of the body.
To study the nutritional status of children with mental illness admitted at a tertiary care psychiatric centre, Bangalore.
The cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 children admitted to the tertiary care psychiatric centre, Bangalore. Nutritional status and eating behaviour were assessed by anthropometric measurements and the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). The children's mental health was assessed by using the CGAS scale (Children's Global Assessment Scale).
The study revealed that the average age of the children was 10.17 years. The majority of children are 49% normal weight. A significant correlation was found between nutritional status and some of the domains of eating behaviour like food responsiveness, enjoyment eating, and satiety responsiveness and child mental health at P value < 0.001. Additionally, significant associations were found between child eating behaviour with specific clinical variables, like duration of illness, diagnosis of children at P value < 0.001.
Study findings reveal a significant correlation between nutritional status and eating behaviour, indicating that the nutritional status of children with mental illness is closely linked to their eating behaviour. Parents of children with mental illness are facing various eating behavioural challenges to meet the nutritional requirements of the children.
To study the nutritional status of children with mental illness admitted at a tertiary care psychiatric centre, Bangalore.
The cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 children admitted to the tertiary care psychiatric centre, Bangalore. Nutritional status and eating behaviour were assessed by anthropometric measurements and the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). The children's mental health was assessed by using the CGAS scale (Children's Global Assessment Scale).
The study revealed that the average age of the children was 10.17 years. The majority of children are 49% normal weight. A significant correlation was found between nutritional status and some of the domains of eating behaviour like food responsiveness, enjoyment eating, and satiety responsiveness and child mental health at P value < 0.001. Additionally, significant associations were found between child eating behaviour with specific clinical variables, like duration of illness, diagnosis of children at P value < 0.001.
Study findings reveal a significant correlation between nutritional status and eating behaviour, indicating that the nutritional status of children with mental illness is closely linked to their eating behaviour. Parents of children with mental illness are facing various eating behavioural challenges to meet the nutritional requirements of the children.