FOOD PREFERENCES PREDICT EATING BEHAVIOR OF VERY YOUNG MOHAWK CHILDREN

Objective To collect baseline data on energy and nutrient intake and n utrition knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of very young Mohawk child ren to assist the community in planning an appropriate, targeted nutri tion and exercise intervention. Design Energy and nutrient intake data were collected from 24-hour recalls conducted in the children's homes . Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behavior were assessed using a 3 8-item questionnaire that asked children to report on what foods they like the best, eat most of the time, and think are healthful. The ques tionnaire was completed in an elementary school on the reservation. Be fore data collection, we hypothesized that the average diet of the Moh awk children mould not meet national dietary recommendations. Subjects One hundred forty-three children, prekindergarten through third grade Caged 4 to 9 years), completed the 24-hour recalls and the questionna ire. An additional 136 children, also prekindergarten through third gr ade, completed the questionnaire (n=279). Statistics Analysis of varia nce with a Scheffe's multiple-comparison test was used to test for dif ferences among grades and genders for energy and nutrient intake and q uestionnaire scores. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess t he relationship between eating behavior and selected variables. Result s A mean daily energy intake of 1,980 kcal consisted of 34% fat, 13% p rotein, and 52% carbohydrate with 13 g fiber and 235 mg cholesterol. F ood preferences were the strongest predictor of behavior; they explain ed 71% of the variation in the behavior score. Applications The major finding of this study, that food preferences are the strongest predict or of reported eating behavior in very young Mohawk children, has impl ications for behavior change interventions. Focusing on changing what children like to eat, through repeated exposure to new foods in a posi tive social context, is more likely to change what foods they choose t han is simple nutrition education.