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.