Abstract
This study examined practices adopted by mothers in selecting food for their
preschool children in Nsukka urban. Specifically, the study determine: points
mothers consider in selecting food for their preschoolers, procedures mothers
follows in selecting foods for their preschoolers and types of food mothers select
for their preschoolers. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study
was guided by three specific purposes and three research questions. The
population for the study was 658 mothers with preschool children. Simple random
sampling technique was adopted to select 25 mothers with preschool children from
eight preschools in Nsukka urban given a total sample size of 200 mothers with
preschool children. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed
using mean and standard deviation. Findings reveal 17 points mothers consider in
selecting food foe their preschoolers. These include; aroma of the food after
preparation, taste of the food after preparation, and children’s acceptability of the
food among others. Other findings are 11 procedures mothers adopted in selecting
foods for their preschoolers. These include; determine food needs of the child,
check nutrient composition of the food, and decide time of meal to be served
among others. Further findings are 19 types of foods mothers choose for their
preschoolers. These include; noodles, bread, rice, spaghetti, protein, fruits and
vegetables and others. The findings suggest that preschool children need adequate
diet with all the necessary food nutrients in their right proportion on a daily basis
to avoid malnutrition. Food selection for the preschooler is of high priority in order
to achieve proper growth and development.