Nutrition knowledge and feeding practices of the parents of preschool children in two upper-middle income counties in Virginia

Abstract

A survey of the parents of preschool children in an upper-middle income area of Northern Virginia. The 34 question survey, which was answered by 272 families, was designed to correlate nutrition knowledge with income, level of education, and feeding practices. Over half the parents reported annual incomes of $20,000 and over. At least 48 percent of the females and 76 percent of the males were college graduates. Thirty-four percent of the children were primarily breastfed as infants. There was widespread use of vitamin supplements. There was a trend toward the use of low fat and skim milk products. More parents relied on printed information as the primary source in obtaining nutrition information. Nutrition knowledge was rated as fair by analysis of the results of a 10 question test which was part of the survey. Those who scored the best on the Nutrition Knowledge Test gave their children the better snack foods, and also provided the best variety of foods high in protein. Knowledge of food sources of vitamin A, iron, and calcium was limited. Professional women scored higher on the Nutrition Knowledge Test than did the non-professional women. There was no correlation between nutrition knowledge and level of education or income.