Background With the rapid development of social economy in China, children's dietary behaviors and lifestyle has undergone great changes. Picking eating, inappropriate protein intake, inactive lifestyle may lead to children's poor physical growth. Especially for preschool children who are in the key period for the formation of dietary habits and lifestyle, early identification of problems in their diet and living habits and interventions will be the key procedure to improve the growth and

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... level of the whole population. Methods All subjects were from a cross-sectional survey in China, a total of 53172 preschool children were included. The anthropometric measurement was completed on site, and dietary behavior, physical activity, sleeping and screen time were collected by face-to-face interview using a self-made questionnaire. Results 1)Among preschool children, 34.0% were picky eaters, the growth level of them was lower than non-picky eaters, the height SDS and weight SDS of picky eaters were 0.01 ± 1.00 and 0.10 ± 1.10, and those of non-picky eaters were 0.17 ± 1.01 and 0.17 ± 1.15. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). 2) The growth level of children with high frequency of milk and eggs intake was higher than others: the height SDS and weight SDS of children ate more than 6 eggs per week were 0.26 ± 0.99 and 0.25 ± 1.13, those who did not eat eggs were − 0.12 ± 1.02 and − 0.20 ± 1.10; the height SDS and weight SDS of children drank more than 6 bags of milk per week were 0.17 ± 1.01 and 0.14 ± 1.14, and those did not drink milk were − 0.14 ± 1.04 and − 0.21 ± 1.15. 3༉Only 12.3% of children met all sleeping, physical activity and screen time requirements in guidelines, and they have higher HtSDS and lower WtSDS. 4) Multivariate analysis showed more protein intake, inadequate sleep were risk factors of overweight and obesity, while short screen time was a protective factor. Conclusions Appropriate protein intake, adequate sleep and shorter screen time are associated with healthy physical growth and reduced risk of obesity and obesity in preschool children.