Association of parental and children behaviors with the health status of preschool children

Background. Parental and children behaviors can be associated with health promotion and illness prevention in preschool children. Methods. We interviewed mothers of 804 out of 1000 households with children aged 3 to 5 years randomly sampled in Tokyo, in 1997. Child health status was categorized as: “good”, that is, good general health with no sick days; “poor”, that is, fair to poor with frequent sick days; or “moderate”. Results. Good health status was associated with playing outside (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.37) and family income (OR = 1.38–1.78, depending on family income). Mothers of children with poor health were less likely to have good health behavior themselves (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.90) and were more often sick (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.94). Conclusion. Outdoor playing, good health practice of the mother and high income are associated with a better health status of urban preschool children.