Sociodemographic Characteristics, Parenting Styles, and Feeding Practices of Primary Caregivers of Malnourished Children

Introduction: Malnutrition, encompassing both undernutrition and overnutrition, remains a significant public health concern for children aged two to five. Urban malnutrition persists despite current interventions, underscoring the need to investigate underexplored factors, such as caregiving and nutritional dynamics. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the multifaceted interplay of parenting styles, feeding practices, and sociodemographic characteristics among primary caregivers of malnourished children. Methods: This quantitative descriptive study collected data from 220 primary caregivers of malnourished children aged 2-5 years in Baguio City using adopted questionnaires: the Parenting Style Four Factor Questionnaire (PS-FFQ, α = 0.92) and the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ-28, RMSEA < 0.08, CFI > 0.90, TLI > 0.90, α > 0.70). Sociodemographic data and BMI-for-age z-scores for nutritional status were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The study revealed that moderate acute malnutrition was the most prevalent type among children in Baguio City (72.7%). Most primary caregivers demonstrated an authoritative parenting style (77.7%), with persuasive feeding identified as the most common feeding practice (31.4%). Parenting style showed a statistically significant difference in the nutritional status of children (p = 0.05), whereas feeding practice did not yield a significant difference (p = 0.327). Among the sociodemographic factors, caregiver age (p = 0.019), highest educational attainment (p = 0.008), type of working arrangement (p = 0.019), and family structure (p = 0.025) showed statistically significant differences. Conversely, the primary caregiver’s role (p = 0.608) and household size (p = 0.802) did not yield statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Findings highlight the dynamic nature of child malnutrition in Baguio City, emphasizing the role of broader household dynamics and caregiver behaviors in shaping nutritional outcomes. Health sectors and policymakers should consider these concepts to drive the development of nutrition programs and policies that reflect caregivers’ unique realities, fostering supportive environments for children.