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Gender differences in nutritional status and determinants among infants (6-11 m): a cross-sectional study in two

Aregash Samuel1, Saskia J M Osendarp2,3, Edith J M Feskens2

  • 1Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Patriots Street, P.O. Box 1242 or 5645, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. aregash.ephi@gmail.com.

BMC Public Health
|February 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

In Ethiopia, infant boys face higher risks of stunting and wasting than girls. Optimal infant feeding practices, including exclusive breastfeeding and diverse complementary foods, are crucial for preventing malnutrition in both sexes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Global Health
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Limited research indicates boys may have a higher risk of stunting than girls in low-income settings.
  • Causes of gender disparities in infant malnutrition remain under-investigated.
  • This study addresses gender differences in nutritional status and their determinants among Ethiopian infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess gender-specific nutritional status in Ethiopian infants.
  • To identify determinants of stunting and wasting in boys and girls.
  • To explore potential gender interactions in malnutrition predictors.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of baseline data from 2036 infants (6-11 months) in Ethiopia.
  • Investigated child, mother, and household characteristics as predictors of stunting and wasting.
  • Employed multiple logistic regression models separately for boys and girls, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Boys exhibited significantly higher prevalence of stunting (18.7% vs 10.7%) and wasting (7.9% vs 5.4%) compared to girls.
  • Predictors of stunting in boys included untimely breastfeeding initiation, non-exclusive breastfeeding, region, and low maternal education.
  • Untimely complementary feeding and low legume/nut intake predicted stunting in both sexes; low egg intake predicted stunting in girls.

Conclusions:

  • Ethiopian boys are more susceptible to malnutrition than girls.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding and dietary diversity are key for preventing stunting in infants.
  • While no clear gender interactions were found for most determinants, targeted, gender-sensitive infant feeding guidance is recommended.
Abstract

Keywords:
DeterminantsEthiopiaGenderGrowthInfantsNutritional statusStuntingYoung children

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