The factors affecting nutritional behaviors and weight status of children under the rural and urban areas

Objective: It is aimed to determine the factors affecting the nutritional behavior and weight status of the children who live in the rural and urban areas. Method: A comparative and cross-sectional research type was applied. The sample of the study consisted of two urban schools and 7 primary schools in rural areas. The data were determined by students (n = 500) and their parents' socio-demographic questionnaire, parent eating time scale, eating behavior scale in children, child nutrition behavior scale and anthropometric measurements between February 2017 and April 2017. The data were evaluated by descriptive statistics, chi-square test, student-t test and multiple regression analysis. Results: Obesity rates was 18% in rural areas and 14.5% in urban areas. It was determined that children in urban areas exhibited more positive / healthy eating behaviors than rural children. In rural areas, it was found that parents used prizes, positive persuasion, special meals and snack model meal time behaviors, while in urban areas parents insisted on eating, animal fat reduction and snack meal were statistically significant (p <0.000). It was observed that children in the rural areas exhibited a statistically significant difference in their food enthusiasm, drinking passion and food selectivity eating behaviors compared to children in urban areas (p <0.000). Nutritional behavior of children; the amount of snack, food enthusiasm, food enjoyment, food selectivity, gender and the living area was determined as. Children's Body Mass Index was affected by factors such as the region, rewards, animal fat reduction, food enthusiasm, pleasure of food, slow eating, and food selectivity. Conclusion: It has been suggested that focusing on "parent meal time behaviors", "child eating behaviors" in programs aiming to improve nutrition behavior in children. And also, suggested that children living in rural areas should be considered as priority in the programs aimed at prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Key Words: Childhood obesity, parent mealtime behavior, child diet behavior, child eating behavior.