Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Pages: 124-134

Journal: Paediatrics and International Child Health

Volume number: 35

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 2046-9047

eISSN: 2046-9055

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905514Y.0000000155

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Abstract: 

Background: Adequate young child feeding practices are influenced by a multitude of factors which affect growth and development. A combination of indicators is needed to explain the role of complementary feeding practices in growth retardation.

Methods: A cross-sectional nutrition baseline survey was conducted in rural Cambodia in September 2012. Villages in pre-selected communes were randomly selected using stunting as a primary indicator. Data were collected from 803 randomly selected households with children aged 6-23 months, based on a standardised questionnaire and on length/height and weight measurements of mother and child. WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators [minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), minimum acceptable diet (MAD)] and a child feeding index (CFI) were created. The latter consisted of five components: breastfeeding, use of bottle, dietary diversity, food frequency and meal frequency which were adjusted for three age groups: 6-8, 9-11 and 12-23 months. The highest possible score was 10. Associations between length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) and WHO indicators or CFI were explored.

Results: Mean (SD) LAZ was 21.25 (1.14) (n = 801). Mean (range) CFI was 6.7 (1-10) (n = 797). Mean CFI was highest in the 9-11-months age group (7.93) and lowest for those aged 12-23 months (5.96). None of the WHO IYCF indicators was associated with LAZ, whereas CFI showed significant association with LAZ (P < 0.01). The association between higher CFI scores and LAZ became weaker as age increased.

Conclusion: The results highlight the need to include a wide range of information in the analysis in order to understand the association between appropriate infant feeding practices and child growth.

Harvard Citation style: Reinbott, A., Kuchenbecker, J., Herrmann, J., Jordan, I., Muehlhoff, E., Kevanna, O., et al. (2015) A child feeding index is superior to WHO IYCF indicators in explaining length-for-age Z-scores of young children in rural Cambodia, Paediatrics and International Child Health, 35(2), pp. 124-134. https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905514Y.0000000155

APA Citation style: Reinbott, A., Kuchenbecker, J., Herrmann, J., Jordan, I., Muehlhoff, E., Kevanna, O., & Krawinkel, M. (2015). A child feeding index is superior to WHO IYCF indicators in explaining length-for-age Z-scores of young children in rural Cambodia. Paediatrics and International Child Health. 35(2), 124-134. https://doi.org/10.1179/2046905514Y.0000000155