Discrepancies between preschoolers' self-perceived healthy eating practices and parental assessments: a cross-sectional study in South Korea.

Abstract

Objective: Although healthy dietary habits established in early childhood are critical for lifelong health, most previous studies have relied predominantly on parental proxy reports rather than children's self-perceptions. This study compared preschoolers' self-perceived healthy dietary practices with their parents' evaluations and examined discrepancies between them.

Methods: This study included 243 preschoolers aged 2 to 7 years and their parents, recruited from daycare centers in Cheonan, South Korea. Data were collected using the validated, structured, self-administered Healthy Eating Practice Questionnaire, which assessed nutrition and hygiene. Mean Healthy Eating Practice Scores were compared between preschoolers and their parents using paired t-tests, and stratified analyses were conducted by sex and age.

Results: Preschoolers rated their healthy dietary practices significantly higher than their parents did (P<0.001). The discrepancy was greater for nutrition than for hygiene, with hygiene ratings more consistent. This domain-specific pattern was consistent across sexes and age groups. When stratified by sex and age, preschooler-parent Healthy Eating Practice Score differences were significantly higher in boys than in girls (25.0±21.0 vs. 20.0±14.9, respectively; P=0.035).

Conclusion: Discrepancies between preschoolers' self-perceptions and their parents' evaluations suggest that incorporating both perspectives is essential for accurately assessing children's dietary practices. These findings support the development of dual-perspective dietary assessment and education strategies in early childhood.