Health and Fitness

Adherence to dietary guidelines associated with lower medical service utilization in preschoolers: a longitudinal study

Y. Chen, Y. C. Lo, et al.

This longitudinal study by Yi-Chieh Chen, Yuan-Ting C. Lo, Hsin-Yun Wu, and Yi-Chen Huang reveals a significant link between better dietary adherence and reduced medical visits among Taiwanese preschoolers. With findings highlighting lower overall and emergency medical expenditures, the research provides compelling evidence for the importance of nutrition in early childhood health.

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Abstract

This longitudinal study investigated the association between dietary guideline adherence and medical service utilization in Taiwanese preschoolers (2–6 years). Using data from the 2013–2016 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan and the National Health Insurance Research Database (2013–2018), researchers assessed dietary intake using the Taiwanese Children Healthy Eating Index (TCHEI). Results showed that preschoolers with higher TCHEI scores (indicating better dietary adherence) had significantly lower overall, outpatient, and emergency medical visits, particularly in the 2–3-year-old age group. This association held true for both all diseases and respiratory diseases. Higher TCHEI scores were also linked to lower overall medical expenditures.

Publisher

Nutrition and Diabetes

Published On

Mar 22, 2024

Authors

Yi-Chieh Chen, Yuan-Ting C. Lo, Hsin-Yun Wu, Yi-Chen Huang

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