Abstract

Sangamithra S., Lally Hanna Luke*

ABSTRACT

Background: Maternal factors play an important role in shaping children's dietary practices, growth and nutritional well-being during the preschool period. Maternal educational qualification, occupational status and nutritional knowledge may influence feeding practices and the nutritional status of young children. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the association between maternal educational qualification, occupational status and nutritional knowledge and the nutritional status of preschool children aged 3–6 years. It also aimed to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition education programme in improving maternal nutritional knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a pre–post nutrition education component was conducted among 130 preschool children aged 3–6 years and their mothers in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, maternal educational qualification, occupational status, maternal nutritional knowledge and the dietary pattern of children. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight and waist circumference, were recorded using standardized procedures. Maternal nutritional knowledge was assessed before and after a structured nutrition education programme. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were used to analyse the data, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 130 mothers, 109 (83.8%) were graduates, 10 (7.7%) had completed HSC and 11 (8.5%) had completed SSLC. Regarding occupational status, 88 (67.7%) were homemakers and 42 (32.3%) were working mothers. Maternal educational qualification was not significantly associated with children's height status (p = 0.205) or weight status (p = 0.129). Maternal occupational status was not significantly associated with height status (p = 0.174); however, a statistically significant association was observed with weight status (p = 0.047): with children of working mothers showing a higher proportion of normal weight. Maternal nutritional knowledge was significantly associated with both children's height status (p = 0.006) and weight status (p = 0.007*). The mean maternal nutritional knowledge score increased from 7.08 ± 1.027 before nutrition education to 9.55 ± 0.558 after the intervention, with a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Maternal nutritional knowledge was significantly associated with the nutritional status of preschool children, whereas maternal educational qualification was not significantly associated with height or weight status. Maternal occupational status showed a significant association with children's weight status but not height status. The nutrition education programme significantly improved maternal nutritional knowledge. These findings highlight the importance of structured and practical nutrition education for mothers to strengthen knowledge and promote appropriate feeding practices during the preschool years. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation of the associations between maternal factors and child nutritional status.