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Infant growth in relation to feeding practices in low income families
1Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Home Science, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pant Nagar, Nainital.
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding is common in low-income infants up to 6 months. However, insufficient supplementary feeding practices lead to poor infant growth, indicating a need for improved nutrition strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Infant feeding practices significantly impact child development and health outcomes.
- Low-income populations often face challenges in providing optimal nutrition for infants.
- Understanding growth patterns in relation to feeding is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess infant feeding practices and anthropometric measurements in low-income families.
- To evaluate infant growth patterns in relation to different feeding modalities.
- To identify potential nutritional deficiencies affecting infant development.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted on feeding practices and anthropometric measurements (weight, length, chest circumference) of infants up to 12 months.
- Infants belonged to low-income families in selected villages of Pantnagar.
- Growth was assessed against National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) international standards.
Main Results:
- 83% of infants were exclusively breastfed up to 6 months; 77% received semi-solids from 9-12 months.
- Supplementary foods included small quantities of cereals, pulses, biscuits, and fruits.
- Anthropometric measurements did not significantly differ across feeding practices; growth faltered from 3 to 12 months compared to NCHS standards.
Conclusions:
- Despite high rates of breastfeeding, a significant percentage of infants exhibited suboptimal growth.
- The quantity and quality of supplementary foods, along with other factors, were insufficient for normal infant growth.
- Interventions are needed to improve complementary feeding practices and address nutritional gaps in low-income communities.
Abstract:
A survey of feeding practices and measurements of weight, length and chest circumference of infants upto the age of 12 months and belonging to low income families of some selected villages at Pantnagar was carried out during 1987-88. The study revealed that as many as 83% of infants were exclusively breast fed up to the age of 6 months. In addition to being breast fed, 77% of infants between 9 and 12 months were also receiving semi-solids. Very small quantities of cereals, pulses, biscuits and fruits were reported to be the supplementary foods fed to infants. Animal milk diluted to varying degrees was fed as a supplement by some mothers and as a substitute by a few. Growth patterns of various feed types in terms of the anthropometric measurements were not found significantly different in different feeding practices. With reference to International standards (NCHS), it was seen that weight of only 25% of male and 55% of female infants fell in the normal range at the age of 3 months and this percentage declined from 3rd month to 12th month of age. Though the percentage falling in normal range was higher for length, the pattern of decline with the advancement in age was similar. This unsatisfactory growth performance of even those who received other foods along with breast milk is indicative of the fact that the quantity/quality of supplementary foods (along with other factors) were not sufficient to promote normal growth.