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Feeding practices and growth in Yemeni children
Insights
Breastfeeding positively impacts infant weight gain in Yemen, particularly in the first year. Introducing other foods also aids weight gain in older infants, but neither practice affects linear growth.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Global Health
Background:
- Infant feeding practices are critical determinants of child growth and development.
- Understanding the impact of breastfeeding and complementary feeding on growth is essential for public health interventions.
- Limited data exists on infant feeding and growth in the Tihama region of Yemen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the relationship between infant feeding practices and child growth (3-23 months) in Yemen.
- To assess the impact of breastfeeding and introduction of other foods on weight-for-length, weight-for-age, and length-for-age.
Main Methods:
- A nutritional survey was conducted in 1979 on a representative sample of 364 children aged 3-23 months in Yemen's Tihama region.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors.
- Growth parameters (weight-for-length, weight-for-age, length-for-age) were assessed in relation to feeding practices.
Main Results:
- Breastfeeding was associated with improved weight-for-length and weight-for-age, with the strongest effect seen in infants aged 3-6 months.
- Introducing other foods was linked to higher weight-for-length only in children aged 13-23 months.
- Neither breastfeeding nor introducing other foods showed an association with length-for-age.
Conclusions:
- Infant feeding practices in Yemen are associated with weight gain but not linear growth.
- Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in early infant weight gain.
- Complementary feeding strategies need consideration for optimizing growth in older infants.
Abstract:
A nutritional survey in the Tihama region of Yemen allowed an analysis of the relationship between infant feeding practices and the growth of children 3-23 months of age. The survey was conducted in 1979 on a representative sample of 364 preschool children 3-23 months of age. After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors, breast feeding was found to be associated with higher weight-for-length and weight-for-age. The strongest beneficial effect of breast feeding on weight-for-length was seen at 3-6 months, a weaker effect at 7-12 months, and essentially no effect over 12 months of age. A higher weight-for-age was seen in breast-fed infants 3-6 months of age only. Introducing other foods was associated with higher weight-for-length only in children 13-23 months of age. Neither breast feeding nor introducing other foods was associated with length-for-age. Infant feeding practices appear to be associated with weight gain, but not linear growth in Yemeni infants.