Abstract
BACKGROUND: The practice of grandparents taking on the role of primary caregivers for their grandchildren is widespread across both urban and rural regions in China. Yet, the existing body of research offered limited clarity on how grandparenting associated with nutrition as well as health of children aged 0-3 years, particularly in terms of potential differences between urban and rural areas in China. Therefore, this study aims to delve into the association between grandparenting and nutrition as well as health status of children aged 0-3 and its urban-rural differences in China. METHODS: This study draws on data from 1,028 children aged 0 to 3 years and their families, collected through the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2020. Nutrition and health status of children aged 0-3 was assessed based on the indicators of malnutrition, medical consultations due to illness and developmental delay. Parental reports were used to determine the extent of grandparenting, which any caregiving arrangement involving grandparents, whether during daytime, nighttime, or both, were categorized as grandparenting. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to explore the association between grandparenting and nutrition as well as health outcomes of children aged 0-3. RESULTS: Regression analysis results indicated that grandparenting is positively associated with malnutrition (OR 1.323; 95% CI 1.008, 1.735), medical consultation for illness (OR 1.382; 95% CI 1.058, 1.804), and developmental delay (OR 1.502; 95% CI 1.508, 2.134) in children aged 0-3 years. The above association has been proven to be evident in rural settings, whereas it was not significant in urban environments. CONCLUSION: Grandparenting exhibits a negative association with nutrition and health status of children aged 0-3. It is imperative for parents to consider their children's caregiving arrangements carefully, and foster nutrition and health status of children from birth to 3 years old actively.