Association between maternal food literacy and constipation prevalence in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

Background To investigate the association between maternal food literacy and constipation prevalence in preschool-aged children. Methods This cross-sectional study included 376 parents whose children attended kindergartens, child welfare facilities, and nursery schools. Maternal food literacy was identified using the validated self-perceived food literacy scale and children’s constipation prevalence using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Low maternal food literacy was associated with high constipation prevalence in children. After adjusting for child age, sex, and pharmacological treatments for constipation, multivariate-adjusted ORs for mothers of constipated children compared with those of non-constipated children were: healthy snack styles for per 1-point score decrease from (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.05–2.48), daily food planning (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.05–1.87), and healthy food stockpiling (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.09–2.22). Lower total food literacy scores were associated with mothers of children with constipation (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.15–4.72) compared to those without. Conclusions These findings suggest an association between low maternal food literacy and a high prevalence of constipation in preschool children.