Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
High-fat Feeding Paradigm for Larval Zebrafish: Feeding, Live Imaging, and Quantification of Food Intake
Published on: October 27, 2016
Food consumption and feeding patterns of Czech infants and toddlers living in Prague
1Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University of Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. ekudl@lf1.cuni.cz
Insights
This study found that breastfeeding duration in Prague was shorter than recommended by the World Health Organization, influenced by maternal education and marital status. Complementary feeding compliance was good, indicating a need for continued promotion of healthy infant feeding practices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Infant and young child feeding practices are critical for health outcomes.
- Sociodemographic factors can influence feeding patterns.
- Understanding these patterns is essential for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe infant feeding patterns during the first two years of life.
- To examine the relationship between feeding patterns and sociodemographic factors.
- To evaluate compliance with complementary feeding recommendations.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study was conducted in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Ninety-seven healthy singletons were enrolled, with 90.7% completing the study.
- Dietary intake was assessed at 9, 12, and 24 months using 3-day records; questionnaires provided additional data.
Main Results:
- Median exclusive breastfeeding duration was 5 months; total breastfeeding was 9 months.
- Breastfeeding rates declined significantly with age, from 47.4% at 9 months to 4.5% at 24 months.
- Complementary feeding practices showed good compliance, though vegetable and protein intake varied, and maternal education/marital status influenced breastfeeding duration.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding duration was shorter than WHO recommendations and associated with maternal education and marital status.
- Complementary feeding compliance was generally good.
- Continued promotion of healthy infant feeding practices is necessary, with separate evaluation of breastfeeding and complementary feeding indicators.
Objective:
To describe feeding patterns during first two years of life and their relation to sociodemographic factors.
Design:
Longitudinal study.
Setting:
Prague, Czech Republic.
Subjects:
Ninety-seven full-term healthy singletons enrolled at maternity ward, of which 90.7% completed the study.
Methods:
Diet was assessed at 9, 12 and 24 months of age using a structured 3-day dietary record. Additional information was obtained from questionnaires completed at birth and at 6 months.
Results:
The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 5 months, and that of total breastfeeding 9 months. Breastfeeding rate 47.4% at 9 months declined to 4.5% at 24 months. Total duration of breastfeeding was positively associated with maternal education and marital status but not with maternal age, gender or birth order. Breastfeeding frequency at 9, 12 and 24 months was 4.8, 4 and 3.7, respectively. The complementary food feeding frequency increased significantly with age (4.5, 4.7 and 5.9 times per day, respectively). All children at any age point consumed fruits, cereal and milk products. The proportion of children consuming meat and vegetables had increased with age but between ages 9 and 24 months, at least 23-38% children did not consume vegetables daily and 28-40% did not consume foods from meat/fish/poultry/eggs group daily. The proportion of children consuming milk and foods associated with the early complementary feeding period had fallen with age while the consumption of cereal foods other than porridge had increased. Values of indicators of adequate complementary feeding practices tentatively suggested in the context of WHO expert consultation had closely reflected breastfeeding rates.
Conclusions:
Breastfeeding duration is shorter than WHO recommends. It is influenced by maternal education and marital status. Compliance with complementary feeding recommendations is relatively good. Continued promotion of healthy infant and young child feeding practices is needed. Indicators evaluating complementary feeding practices should assess breastfeeding separately from other aspects.
Sponsorship:
Ministry of Health, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles' University of Prague.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
00:48Optimal Foraging
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
01:29Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
00:55Parental Care