國外研究發現學童便祕的盛行率介於0.3％ 到 28％，差異相當大，且男女性別並沒有明顯的不同。研究更指出高纖飲食的攝取和運動等生活型態被認為能夠改善腸道蠕動。在台灣學童便祕的發生率尚未有完整的研究資料說明，特別是根據國際公認的羅馬基金會修訂的羅馬準則 ( ROME III criteria ) 來評估便祕情況。在台灣探討生活型態和營養知識與學童便祕的關係研究並不多，也沒有相關的研究探討父母的社經地位等相關因素與學童便祕的關係。因此，本研究目的要探討學童便祕的盛行率並探討學童飲食習慣與便祕之間的相關性，且找出影響兒童排便習慣的相關因子。本研究受試者來自於台灣中部地區11所國小的學童 (2008年10月至2009年11月之間)，共收錄428位 (4-5年級 )，以問卷的方式進行調查。在研究中，共有313位學童 ( 137位男生和176位女生 ) 符合調查資格，回應率為73%，學童便祕的比例占24.6% ( 77位學童，男生 : 女生 = 36 : 41 )，女生盛行率顯著較男生多，便祕的盛行率和蔬菜 ( p < 0.05 ) 及水果吃得較少顯著相關 ( p < 0.05 )，高學歷的父母特別是大學畢業以上，學童發生便祕的比例顯著較低 ( p < 0.05 )，以及父母三餐規律，孩子發生便祕的比例也顯著較低 ( p < 0.05 )。根據我們的研究，4-5年級學童便祕的比例占24.6%，少吃蔬菜和水果與便祕有明顯的相關性。因此，本研究發現建立父母規律飲食習慣可降低學童便祕的風險，對於父母學歷程度較低的學童，應該多給予關注。 Background: The prevalence of childhood constipation ranged from 0.7% to 29.6% according to previous studies. There was no significant difference between boys and girls. Life style including high fiber diet and exercise was considered to improve bowel movement. The prevalence of childhood constipation in Taiwan was not known. Studies about the factors related to childhood constipation, especially life style and nutritional knowledge was few in Taiwan. Otherwise, there was no study about the relationship between the parent’s factors and childhood constipation in the past. Aims: This study was to evaluate the prevalence of constipation in school age children, according to RomeⅢ criteria, in the middle region of Taiwan. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between constipation and life style and nutritional knowledge. The impact of the parent’ life style and nutritional knowledge was assessed as well. Methods: A total of 428 school children of 3rd-4th grade in the elementary school participated in studies using a questionnaire of constipation from Oct. 2008 through Nov. 2009. Refusal and incompletely answered questions were excluded. Results: In total, 313 students (137 boys and 176 girls) were enrolled with an interview of response rate of 73%. The prevalence of constipation was 24.6% (77 children, boys: girls=36 : 41). Girls were more likely to have constipation than boys (46.8% vs. 53.2%, p=0.634) in our study. Lower intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with the incidence of constipation (p < 0.05). The parents with high education level, especially above the college, revealed lower prevalence of children constipation (p < 0.05). The parent’s regular meal intake was associated with lower incidence of constipation for their children (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of childhood constipation in our study was 24.6%, which is consistent with previous studies in Hong Kong and Japan. Less consumption of fruits is associated with childhood constipation. Establishing a regular dietary habit of their parents associated with decrease the prevalence of constipation. Children with lower education level parents deserved more attention.
