Table 5. Problems detected during meals and general snacking habits of the children with cerebral and healthy children.
| Variables | CP | Healthy children (n = 16) | χ2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (n = 16) | Quadriplegia (n = 5) | Paraplegia (n = 7) | Hemiplegia (n = 4) | ||||
| Problems of diet | 15.00* | ||||||
| Unbalanced diet | 2 (12.5) | 2 (40.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 6 (37.5) | ||
| Overeating | 3 (18.8) | 2 (40.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (25.0) | 2 (12.5) | ||
| Assistance required | 7 (43.8) | 1 (20.0) | 5 (71.4) | 1 (25.0) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| Refusal of meal | 3 (18.8) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (28.6) | 1 (25.0) | 1 (6.3) | ||
| Distraction at mealtime | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (18.8) | ||
| No problems | 1 (6.3) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (25.0) | 4 (25.0) | ||
| Reason for irregular meals | 4.02 | ||||||
| Loss of appetite | 5 (31.3) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (42.9) | 2 (50.0) | 6 (37.5) | ||
| Lack of time | 1 (6.3) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (14.3) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (12.5) | ||
| Habitually | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (12.5) | ||
| Tired | 1 (6.3) | 1 (20.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| No reason | 9 (56.3) | 4 (80.0) | 3 (42.9.) | 2 (50.0) | 6 (37.5) | ||
| Snack times | 2.03 | ||||||
| Hardly ever eat | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (6.3) | ||
| 1–2 time/day | 14 (87.5) | 5 (100.0) | 5 (71.4) | 4 (100.0) | 11 (68.8) | ||
| 3–4 times/day | 2 (12.5) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (28.6) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (25.0) | ||
| Why eat a snack | 2.22 | ||||||
| Hunger | 4 (25.0) | 2 (40.0) | 1 (14.3) | 1 (25.0) | 8 (50.0) | ||
| Appetite | 11 (68.8) | 3 (60.0) | 6 (85.7) | 2 (50.0) | 7 (43.8) | ||
| Supplement | 1 (6.3) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (25.0) | 1 (6.3) | ||
Values are presented as number (%).
CP, cerebral palsy.
*Significantly different between cerebral palsy and healthy children at p < 0.05 by χ2 test.