Food groups intake in relation to stunting among exceptional children

Infant age at egg introduction and malnutrition‐related child growth in the United States

To evaluate the relationship between infant age of egg introduction and malnutrition‐related growth outcomes in the United States, we analysed secondary data of 1716 mother–child dyads in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II and its Year 6 Follow‐Up Study. Malnutrition‐related growth outcomes included body mass index z‐score (BMIZ), obesity (weight‐for‐height z‐score [WHZ] ≥3 or BMIZ ≥ 2), WHZ, wasting (WHZ < −2), height‐for‐age z‐score (HAZ), and stunting (HAZ < –2). Infant age at egg introduction was analysed as a continuous variable. We used generalised estimating equations to estimate the mean difference in continuous outcomes and relative risk [RR]) for binary outcomes, adjusting for related maternal and child confounders. We also explored interactions with child sex, maternal race/ethnicity, maternal educational level, ever breastfeeding, and formula feeding. In the total sample, a later infant age at egg introduction was associated with a lower mean difference in HAZ (confounder‐adjusted mean difference = −0.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.12 to −0.03 per month) and a higher risk of stunting (confounder‐adjusted RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.03–1.33 per month) at 6 years. The associations between infant age at egg introduction and 12‐month growth outcomes differed by child sex. Among females but not among males, later introduction of eggs was associated with a lower mean WHZ (−0.06 [−0.12 to 0.00] per month) at 12 months. Later egg introduction during infancy was associated with a lower mean HAZ and a higher risk of stunting in 6‐year‐old children. Besides this, it was associated with a lower WHZ among females at 12 months.

This secondary data analysis evaluated the relationship between infant age at egg introduction and malnutrition‐related growth outcomes among young US children within the Infant Feeding Practices Study II and its Year 6 Follow‐up Study.

In the total sample, a later infant age at egg introduction was associated with a lower mean 6‐year height‐for‐age z‐score and a higher risk of stunting at 6 years.

The associations between infant age at egg introduction and 12‐month growth outcomes differed by child sex. Later introduction of eggs was associated with a lower mean weight‐for‐height z‐score among females. However, this association was not observed among males.

Increasing Mothers’ Knowledge of Infant and Young Child Feeding through Booklets in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Background: Stunting is caused in part by feeding behavior in infants and young children. Knowledge is the most important factor in shaping one's attitude and behavior, particularly when it comes to infants and young children feeding. This study aims to find out how the mothers’ knowledge of infant and child feeding could be increased through booklets in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Method: This study is a quasi-experimental non-randomized study with pre and post-test only control design. Study was conducted in Jayabakti Village, Banggai Regency. Sample consisted of 40 mothers of children under five collected with purposive sampling method from October to December 2020. At the local Integrated Health Service Post, booklets were distributed once a month as part of the study intervention. Over the duration of the three-month study period, booklets were distributed three times. The used booklets were the modified version of the WHO-developed Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling: An Integrated Course. The mean difference was used to compare the results of the pre- and post-tests on knowledge of infant and young child feeding. The hypothesis test was applied with a 95% confidence level of 0.05. Result: The respondents with ages ranging between 15 and 20 were 42.5%. Mothers graduated from senior high schools were 45%. Mothers that had three children were 55.0%. Family income was 586,000 rupiahs in average. After the booklets distribution for three months, there was an increase in the mothers’ knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding. The older the mother's age, the better her knowledge (p=0,015). Factors of children's age and mother's education did not have a significant effect. Conclusion: Mothers knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding at Banggai Regency Central of Sulawesi is generally good. After using the booklets, their knowledge has increased. With time, the mother's knowledge expands. Formal education has no significant effect on infants and young children nutrition knowledge

The Influence of Factors of Breastfeeding and Food Consumption on Stunting Incidence among Preschool Children in Keerom District, Papua Province, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Stunting is a nutritional problem due to linear growth failure in children under five, resulting in future health problems. Papua has a prevalence of stunting in children under five of 17.8% in 2018. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the influence of breastfeeding and consumption factors on the incidence of stunting in Keerom District, Papua Province. METHOD: This study was an observational study with a cross-sectional design. The sample in this study was 324 toddlers. Characteristics data and breastfeeding were obtained by interviewing parents. In contrast, data on the consumption of children under five were obtained using the Food Recall. Nutritional status was calculated using the Z-score obtained from measurements of body weight and height of children under five. SEM analysis was used to analyze breastfeeding and consumption factors on children's nutritional status under five. RESULT: The study results based on consumption (r = 0.052) and breastfeeding (r = -0.015) had a weak relationship with stunting incidence. CONCLUSION: There was a significant effect of consumption and breastfeeding factors on the incidence of under-five stunting.