Prevalence of Functional Constipation and Relationship with Dietary Habits in 3- to 8-Year-Old Children in Japan

Abstract EN

Objectives.

To determine the prevalence and effect of dietary habits on functional constipation in preschool and early elementary school children in Japan.

Study Design.

A total of 3595 children aged 3 to 8 years from 28 nursery schools and 22 elementary schools in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, were evaluated.

The subjects were divided into a functional constipation group and a nonfunctional constipation group according to the Rome III criteria.

Dietary intake data were collected using a brief-type, self-administered, diet-history questionnaire validated for Japanese preschool-aged children.

Results.

Of the 3595 subjects evaluated, 718 (20.0%) had functional constipation.

The association between functional constipation and gender was not statistically significant (p=0.617).

A decrease in bowel frequency was observed in 15.9% of those with functional constipation.

There was no significant difference in the proportion of participants in the constipation group by age (p=0.112).

Binomial logistic regression analysis indicated that only fat per 100 kcal positively correlated with functional constipation [odds ratio = 1.216, 95% confidence interval: 1.0476–1.412].

Conclusions.

Functional constipation is common among children in preschool and early elementary school in urban areas of Japan.

Parents should pay attention to constipation-related symptoms other than defecation frequency.

A high-fat diet should be avoided to prevent functional constipation.