Feeding practice among younger Tibetan children living at high altitudes

Few published data are available on the feeding practice of younger children in Tibet. Our study investigated feeding pattern of younger Tibetan children.

The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Tibet. A sample of 1655 children younger than 36 months old and their mothers was obtained by stratified multistage cluster random sampling method. Mothers were interviewed to collect information on feeding practice by a designed family questionnaire including initial time and duration of breastfeeding and time, frequency and types of complementary foods introduced.

Most of the children was ever or being breastfed at the time of interview. The median duration of breastfeeding was 26 months. The prevalence of almost exclusive breastfeeding for 4 months was 20.1%. Mothers' age and education, child's residence, and introduction of egg, fresh milk and milk powder were strongly associated with the duration of breastfeeding. The partial feeding was a main pattern in the first 6 months of life. Zanban and porridge were offered at about 1 month after birth. By 6th month, less than 25% of children were fed protein foods such as egg and meats and only near 20% of children were fed fresh vegetables. Bean products, fish and chicken were seldom offered to children.

We conclude that although they were breastfed for long time, complementary feeding practice of Tibetan children was disadvantaged, especially of rural children. Improvement of monotonous complementary foods and timely introduction should be stressed in local programmatic nutritional interventions.