ASSOCIATION OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC STATUS AND BMI OF CHILDREN WITH FOOD PURCHASING BEHAVIOR AMONG MOTHERS IN BANGLADESH:

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged and racial minorities were found to be disproportionately exposed to advertisements for less healthy meals. In Bangladesh, there are very a small number of research that has been done to find out children’s food purchasing behavior in relationship with socio-demographic status. It was a cross-sectional survey among the mothers of 277 children. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and informed consent was received from all the participants. This study found that mothers play a significant role (91.3%) in purchasing food for their children. Socio-demographic status, especially monthly family income (p<0.000), age of the children (p<0.000), and level of education (p<0.000) of mothers significantly associated with food purchasing behavior. As well as BMI of the children (p<0.000) was also found to be significantly associated with food-purchasing behaviors. Therefore, BMI should be examined periodically and is one of the primary considerations when choosing appropriate foods.