Objective: To explore the effects of rearing patterns on diet and temperament traits among infants in urban areas.
Methods: A total of 480 25-30-month-old infants were randomly selected from the birth cohort in Hefei Maternal and Child Health Care Center in 2008. A household survey was conducted using China Toddler Temperament Scale (CTTS), Dietary Characteristics Questionnaire and Family Environment Questionnaire.
Results: Of the 430 surveyed households, there were three main rearing patterns including parents rearing pattern (Group A), grandparents rearing pattern (Group B) and joint rearing pattern (Group C), accounting for 33.0%, 21.2% and 45.8%, respectively. Infants in Group A tended to adopt processed food pattern, with poor rhythmicity and adaptability; infants in Group B tended to adopt fruit, vegetable, and cereals-based food pattern, with relatively poor rhythmicity; infants in Group C tended to adopt aquatic products and fruit/vegetable-based food pattern, with good rhythmicity and adaptability. Linear regression model showed that infants who consumed more aquatic products, high-protein food, and fruits/vegetables had more positive temperamental traits, whereas infants who consumed more processed foods had more negative temperamental traits.
Conclusions: A joint rearing pattern may be a favorable rearing style for infants aged 25-30 months in urban areas in terms of diet and temperament traits.