Peer-reviewed article
Influence of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices on Stunting in Children aged 6 – 23 months in Zambia
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Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5The study uses data from the 2008 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey to look at how infant and young child feeding practices relate to stunting in children aged 6 to 23 months. About 36% of these children were stunted. Feeding practices were poor: only 13% had a minimum acceptable diet, 23% had minimum dietary diversity and 42% had minimum meal frequency. Breastfeeding and minimum dietary diversity were linked to lower odds of stunting. The authors recommend promoting WHO-recommended feeding practices and investing more in nutrition programmes.
Key points
- 36% of children aged 6-23 months were stunted.
- Only 13% received a minimum acceptable diet, 23% minimum dietary diversity and 42% minimum meal frequency.
- Breastfeeding reduced the odds of stunting by 38%.
- Receiving minimum dietary diversity reduced the odds of stunting by 33%.
- Perceived low birth size, being male, maternal anaemia and mother's use of the internet were significant predictors of stunting.
Limitations
The study analyses one cross-sectional survey from 2008, so it shows associations rather than cause and effect, and the data are old. It does not test an intervention.
Abstract
Background: Infant and child nutrition in Zambia remains a pressing public health problem. The Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) indicates that 35% of children under-five and 36 % among those aged 6-23 months are stunted. This study set out to assess the influence of Infant and Child Feeding (IYCF) practices on child stunting (6-23 months) in Zambia. Methods: The 2008 ZDHS children’s data were analysed to measure stunting among infants aged 6-23 months. We fitted a bivariate logistic regression to measure association between feeding practices and stunting in children. Pearson’s Chisquare test of proportions and adjusted odd ratios (AOR) with confidence intervals at 95% are reported. Results: Findings indicate that 36% of children 6-23 months old were stunted. IYCF practices indicators remain relatively poor in Zambia with only 13% of children age 6-23 months having received minimum acceptable diet, 23% received minimum dietary diversity and 42% received minimum meal frequency. Breastfeeding and receipt of a minimum dietary diversity reduced the odds of stunting among children age 6-23 months by 38% and 33% respectively. A child’s perceived low birth size, being male, maternal anaemia status and mother’s use of the internet were significant predictors of stunting. Conclusion: The study shows that IYCF practices have an influence on stunting in Zambia and that socio-economic and demographic factors are likewise associated with stunting although the main determinants are amendable to intervention. Promoting the recommended WHO IYCF practices; breastfeeding, minimum meal frequency, receiving foods with diverse dietary content and accelerated investment in nutrition programs is recommended.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, including breastfeeding, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum meal frequency
- Population
- Children aged 6-23 months in Zambia
Key finding
Breastfeeding reduced odds of stunting by 38%
Crossref · 1 Feb 2022