Childhood malnutrition, associated with poor diet, is a clear public health threat in Sri Lanka, with high rates of under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coupled with the growing risk of overweight/obesity in urban locations. This study explored the dietary diversity and food intake of urban living Sri Lankan preschool children. A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data from a cohort study was conducted with parents/caregivers of children aged 2-6 years, from 21 preschool centres in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka. Demographic and socio-economic factors, dietary diversity score (DDS) (n = 597) and food intake (n = 458) (using a food frequency questionnaire) were assessed. Children had a mean DDS of 4.56 ± 0·85 out of 9, with most (91.1%) in the medium DDS category (DDS of 3.1-6.0), consuming rice as most common food. Lentils were consumed more than any meat or alternative food groups at all DDS levels. Child DDS differs with parent/caregiver age and ethnicity. Mean daily intakes of fruit (1.02) and vegetables (0.84) servings align with approximately half of national recommendations, with less than 20% of children meeting daily recommendations. More than one-third consumed sugary snacks and confectionaries daily and 1 in 10 had them twice a day. Around 40% reported watching television while eating the evening meal. Despite the majority having reasonable DDSs (medium category), findings highlighted inadequate intakes of fruits and vegetables, excessive intakes of sugary snacks and unhealthy dietary and social behaviours, suggests the need for population-based interventions to promote healthier dietary habits.

中文翻译：

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斯里兰卡西北部城市学龄前儿童的膳食多样性和食物摄入量。

与不良饮食相关的儿童营养不良是斯里兰卡明显的公共卫生威胁，营养不良和微量营养素缺乏的比率很高，而且城市地区超重/肥胖的风险越来越大。本研究探讨了城市生活的斯里兰卡学龄前儿童的饮食多样性和食物摄入量。对来自斯里兰卡库鲁内加拉区 21 个学前中心的 2-6 岁儿童的父母/照顾者进行了队列研究基线数据的横断面分析。评估了人口统计学和社会经济因素、饮食多样性评分 (DDS)（n = 597）和食物摄入量（n = 458）（使用食物频率问卷）。9 名儿童的平均 DDS 为 4.56 ± 0·85，其中大多数 (91.1%) 处于中等 DDS 类别（DDS 为 3.1-6.0），以大米为最常见的食物。在所有 DDS 水平上，小扁豆的消费量超过任何肉类或替代食物组。儿童 DDS 因父母/看护人的年龄和种族而异。水果 (1.02) 和蔬菜 (0.84) 份的平均每日摄入量与大约一半的国家建议一致，只有不到 20% 的儿童符合每日建议。超过三分之一的人每天食用含糖零食和糖果，十分之一的人每天食用两次。大约 40% 的人报告说在吃晚餐时看电视。尽管大多数人具有合理的 DDS（中等类别），但研究结果强调水果和蔬菜摄入不足、含糖零食摄入过多以及不健康的饮食和社会行为，表明需要基于人群的干预措施来促进更健康的饮食习惯。