Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background: For the optimal nutrition of children under 2 years of age, it is considered important that they be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months before being given complementary food. Aims and Objectives: A cross-sectional nutritional baseline survey was undertaken in 20...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2015
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/53028 |
| _version_ | 1855536681434742784 |
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| author | Kuchenbecker, J. Jordan, I. Reinbott, A. Herrmann, J. Jeremias, T. Kennedy, G. Muehlhoff, E. Mtimuni, B. Krawinkel, M.B. |
| author_browse | Herrmann, J. Jeremias, T. Jordan, I. Kennedy, G. Krawinkel, M.B. Kuchenbecker, J. Mtimuni, B. Muehlhoff, E. Reinbott, A. |
| author_facet | Kuchenbecker, J. Jordan, I. Reinbott, A. Herrmann, J. Jeremias, T. Kennedy, G. Muehlhoff, E. Mtimuni, B. Krawinkel, M.B. |
| author_sort | Kuchenbecker, J. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Abstract
Background:
For the optimal nutrition of children under 2 years of age, it is considered important that they be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months before being given complementary food.
Aims and Objectives:
A cross-sectional nutritional baseline survey was undertaken in 2011 in the Kasungu and Mzimba Districts of Malawi to assess the nutritional status of children under 2 years of age and its determinants in order to prepare a nutrition education intervention programme. The intention of this study was to assess the nutritional status of infants aged 0–<6 months with regard to food intake.
Methods:
Interviews were conducted on randomly selected families with children under 2 years; anthropometric measurements were obtained from mothers and their children. Only infants between 0 and <6 months were selected for analysis (n = 196). An ANCOVA test was performed on age of the infant with mothers’ height and weight as covariates.
Results:
Prevalence of stunting (infants’ length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) <−2SD) was 39%, wasting (WLZ <−2SD) 2%, and underweight (WAZ <−2SD) 13%. Of the infants under 6 months, 43% were exclusively breastfed. Predominant breastfeeding and mixed breastfeeding were less common (21% and 36%, respectively). The ANCOVA confirmed the association between exclusive breastfeeding and LAZ and WAZ: exclusively breastfed infants had a higher mean (SE) LAZ (−1·13, 0·12) and WAZ (−0·41, 0·13) than infants not being exclusively breastfed (−1·59, 0·11, and −0·97, 0·11, respectively). There was no overall significant association between breastfeeding practice and WLZ.
Conclusion:
Exclusive breastfeeding of infants under 6 months is associated with higher mean LAZ and WAZ. Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in low-income countries is important in preventing growth retardation. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace53028 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Informa UK Limited |
| publisherStr | Informa UK Limited |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace530282025-11-12T05:47:06Z Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study Kuchenbecker, J. Jordan, I. Reinbott, A. Herrmann, J. Jeremias, T. Kennedy, G. Muehlhoff, E. Mtimuni, B. Krawinkel, M.B. breast feeding child feeding growth infants nutritional status Abstract Background: For the optimal nutrition of children under 2 years of age, it is considered important that they be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months before being given complementary food. Aims and Objectives: A cross-sectional nutritional baseline survey was undertaken in 2011 in the Kasungu and Mzimba Districts of Malawi to assess the nutritional status of children under 2 years of age and its determinants in order to prepare a nutrition education intervention programme. The intention of this study was to assess the nutritional status of infants aged 0–<6 months with regard to food intake. Methods: Interviews were conducted on randomly selected families with children under 2 years; anthropometric measurements were obtained from mothers and their children. Only infants between 0 and <6 months were selected for analysis (n = 196). An ANCOVA test was performed on age of the infant with mothers’ height and weight as covariates. Results: Prevalence of stunting (infants’ length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) <−2SD) was 39%, wasting (WLZ <−2SD) 2%, and underweight (WAZ <−2SD) 13%. Of the infants under 6 months, 43% were exclusively breastfed. Predominant breastfeeding and mixed breastfeeding were less common (21% and 36%, respectively). The ANCOVA confirmed the association between exclusive breastfeeding and LAZ and WAZ: exclusively breastfed infants had a higher mean (SE) LAZ (−1·13, 0·12) and WAZ (−0·41, 0·13) than infants not being exclusively breastfed (−1·59, 0·11, and −0·97, 0·11, respectively). There was no overall significant association between breastfeeding practice and WLZ. Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding of infants under 6 months is associated with higher mean LAZ and WAZ. Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in low-income countries is important in preventing growth retardation. 2015-02 2015-01-16T12:38:28Z 2015-01-16T12:38:28Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/53028 en Open Access application/pdf Informa UK Limited Kuchenbecker, J.; Jordan, I.; Reinbott, A.; Herrmann, J.; Jeremias, T.; Kennedy, G.; Muehlhoff, E.; Mtimuni, B.; Krawinkel, M.B. Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study. Paediatrics and International Child Health 35(1) p. 14–23 ISSN: 2046-9047 |
| spellingShingle | breast feeding child feeding growth infants nutritional status Kuchenbecker, J. Jordan, I. Reinbott, A. Herrmann, J. Jeremias, T. Kennedy, G. Muehlhoff, E. Mtimuni, B. Krawinkel, M.B. Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study |
| title | Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of malawian infants results from a cross sectional study |
| topic | breast feeding child feeding growth infants nutritional status |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/53028 |
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