Table 3 Bivariate correlations among maternal education, dietary patterns, physical aggression and related factors (n = 18,513)

Maternal education (6 months) (Range: 0–17)

1.000

Healthy dietary pattern (5 years old) (Range: 0–4)

0.170 ***

1.000

High-fat-sugar-salt dietary pattern (5 years old) (Range: 0–4)

− 0.216***

−0.007

1.000

Physical aggression (5 years old) (Range: 1–5)

− 0.103***

− 0.090***

0.170***

1.000

Physical aggression (3 years old) (Range: 1–5)

−0.126***

−0.078***

0.149***

0.381 ***

1.000

Mental distress (5 years old) (Range: 1–5)

0.036***

−0.029***

0.003

0.104 ***

0.042 ***

1.000

Household income (6 months) (Range: 1–8)

0.527***

0.194***

−0.164***

− 0.098 ***

− 0.105 ***

0.002