scholarly journals Minimum Diet Diversity and Minimum Meal Frequency – Do They Matter Equally? Understanding IYCF Practices in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1012-1012
Author(s):  
Ayushi Jain ◽  
Muneer Kalliyil ◽  
Satish Agnihotri
Keyword(s):  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity ◽  
Nutritional Outcomes

Abstract Objectives Infant and Young Child Feeding practices, mainly, complementary feeding in children between 6 months and two years of age, is found to be sub-optimal and emerge as the weakest link in improving child nutrition outcomes in India. Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), comprising of two sub-indicator – Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) and Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF), serves as an essential indicator to understand the diet adequacy pattern in children. The objective of this study was thus to investigate the role of MDD-MMF dyad in influencing the nutritional outcomes in children and its pattern across regions in India. Methods Data was obtained from the National Family Health Survey – 4 (NFHS-4) from the DHS Program website. The prevalence of MMF and MDD was calculated for 640 districts in India. The MMF and MDD were classified into three categories - high, medium and low based on equal percentile distribution of their prevalence range. Districts with high MMF and high MDD formed one cohort. Similarly, eight other cohorts were created based on their performance on MMF and MDD indicator. The prevalence of Stunting (St), Wasting (Wa) and Underweight (Uw) in children between 6 months and two years of age was then calculated for each of the nine cohorts. The districts were also mapped based on their cohort category to study the variation across regions in India. Results All three anthropometric indicators – stunting, wasting and underweight showed significant decline moving across low MMF- low MDD cohort (40% St; 26.2% Wa; 37.1% Uw) to medium MMF – medium MDD cohort (38.6% St; 23.8% Wa; 35.4% Uw) to high MMF – high MDD cohort (29% St; 15.5% Wa; 19.2% Uw). Second, the importance of minimum dietary diversity in improving nutritional outcomes was revealed, as opposed to minimum meal frequency, which shows improvement only when it reaches a certain threshold. Third, mapping revealed sharp differences across various regions in MMF-MDD pattern, especially in the states like Odisha, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. States in the central region performed poorly on complementary feeding indicators, specifically diet diversity. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of optimal complementary feeding practices in improving nutrition outcomes and the need to consider the regional heterogeneities while promoting IYCF practices in India. Funding Sources None.

Influence of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices on Stunting in Children Aged 6 – 23 Months in Zambia 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Banda ◽  
Elizabeth T. Nyirenda ◽  
Chabila C. Mapoma ◽  
Bwalya B. Bwalya ◽  
Nkuye Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

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 Chi-square test of proportions measuring differences in proportions and adjusted odd ratios (AOR) with confidence intervals at 95% are reported. Results Findings indicate that 36% 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 We conclude 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.

scholarly journals Determinants of inadequate complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months in Ghana

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abukari I Issaka ◽  
Kingsley E Agho ◽  
Penelope Burns ◽  
Andrew Page ◽  
Michael J Dibley
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity ◽  
Breast Fed

AbstractObjectiveTo explore complementary feeding practices and identify potential risk factors associated with inadequate complementary feeding practices in Ghana by using the newly developed WHO infant feeding indicators and data from the nationally representative 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.DesignThe source of data for the analysis was the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Analysis of the factors associated with inadequate complementary feeding, using individual-, household- and community-level determinants, was done by performing multiple logistic regression modelling.SettingGhana.SubjectsChildren (n 822) aged 6–23 months.ResultsThe prevalence of the introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods among infants aged 6–8 months was 72·6 % (95 % CI 64·6 %, 79·3 %). The proportion of children aged 6–23 months who met the minimum meal frequency and dietary diversity for breast-fed and non-breast-fed children was 46·0 % (95 % CI 42·3 %, 49·9 %) and 51·4 % (95 % CI 47·4 %, 55·3 %) respectively and the prevalence of minimum acceptable diet for breast-fed children was 29·9 % (95 % CI 26·1 %, 34·1 %). Multivariate analysis revealed that children from the other administrative regions were less likely to meet minimum dietary diversity, meal frequency and acceptable diet than those from the Volta region. Household poverty, children whose mothers perceived their size to be smaller than average and children who were delivered at home were significantly less likely to meet the minimum dietary diversity requirement; and children whose mothers did not have any postnatal check-ups were significantly less likely to meet the requirement for minimum acceptable diet. Complementary feeding was significantly lower in infants from illiterate mothers (adjusted OR=3·55; 95 % CI 1·05, 12·02).ConclusionsThe prevalence of complementary feeding among children in Ghana is still below the WHO-recommended standard of 90 % coverage. Non-attendance of postnatal check-up by mothers, cultural beliefs and habits, household poverty, home delivery of babies and non-Christian mothers were the most important risk factors for inadequate complementary feeding practices. Therefore, nutrition educational interventions to improve complementary feeding practices should target these factors in order to achieve the fourth Millennium Development Goal.

scholarly journals Complementary feeding indicators and determinants of poor feeding practices in Indonesia: a secondary analysis of 2007 Demographic and Health Survey data

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 827-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charmaine S Ng ◽  
Michael J Dibley ◽  
Kingsley E Agho
Keyword(s):  
Health Survey ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Individual Household ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to assess complementary feeding practices and identify the potential risk factors associated with inappropriate complementary feeding in Indonesia for a nationally representative sample of births from 2004 to 2007.DesignThe data source for the analysis was the 2007 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Multiple logistic regression was performed to analyse the factors associated with complementary feeding, using individual-, household- and community-level determinants.SettingIndonesia.SubjectsChildren (n 4604) aged 6–23 months.ResultsMultivariate analysis revealed that infants from poor households were significantly less likely to be introduced to complementary feeding (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 4·32; 95 % CI 1·46, 12·80) and meet the minimum dietary diversity (AOR = 1·76; 95 % CI 1·16, 2·68). Mother's education (AOR for no education in dietary diversity = 1·92; 95 % CI 1·09, 3·38; AOR for no education in meal frequency = 2·03; 95 % CI 1·13, 3·64; AOR for no education in acceptable diet = 3·84; 95 % CI 2·07, 7·12), residence and decreased age of the infant were negatively associated with minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and an acceptable diet. Infants aged 6–11 months were also significantly less likely to meet minimum dietary diversity (AOR = 6·36; 95 % CI 4·73, 8·56), minimum meal frequency (AOR = 2·30; 95 % CI 1·79, 2·96) and minimum acceptable diet (AOR = 2·27; 95 % CI 1·67, 3·09). All geographical regions compared with Sumatra were more likely to give the recommended meal frequency and an acceptable diet to breast-fed children.ConclusionsPublic health interventions to improve complementary feeding should address individual-, household- and community-level factors which significantly influence the introduction of complementary feeding. Complementary feeding intervention programmes in Indonesia should ensure that restraints on families with low socio-economic status are addressed. Infants aged 6–11 months and mothers with low education levels may also need special focus. Promotion strategies should also target the health-care delivery system and the media.

scholarly journals Effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children aged 6-24 months in urban Moshi, Northern Tanzania: Cohort study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0250562
Author(s):  
Rachel Masuke ◽  
Sia E. Msuya ◽  
Johnson M. Mahande ◽  
Ester J. Diarz ◽  
Babill Stray-Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Early Introduction ◽  
Semi Solid ◽  
Nutritional Status Of Children ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

Introduction Childhood undernutrition is a major public health problem especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The prevalence of early introduction of complementary feeding, low meal frequency, and low dietary diversity are frequent in LMICs. The effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children is not well documented in East African countries including Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children aged 6–24 months in urban Moshi, Tanzania. Methodology A retrospective cohort study was done using the Pasua and Majengo cohorts of mother-child pairs in urban Moshi who were enrolled from 2002 to 2017. About 3355 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Appropriate complementary feeding practices were assessed using WHO IYFP indicators such as age at introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum meal frequency. Nutritional status (stunting, wasting, and underweight) was determined. Multilevel modeling was applied to obtain the effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children and to account for the clustering effect of mothers and children and the correlation of repeated measures within each child. Results Majority of the children (91.2%) were given soft/semi-solid/solid foods before six months of age, 40.3percent had low meal frequency, and 74percent had low dietary diversity. Early introduction of complementary food at age 0–1 month was statistically significantly associated with higher risks of wasting and underweight (ARR 2.9, 95%CI 1.3–6.3; and ARR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3–5.1 respectively). Children with low minimum meal frequency had higher risks of stunting, wasting, and underweight (ARR 2.9, 95%CI 2.3–3.6; ARR 1.9, 95%CI 1.5–2.5 and ARR 1.9, 95%CI 1.5–2.4 respectively). Children with low minimum dietary diversity were more likely to be stunted than is the case with their peers who received the minimum dietary diversity (ARR 1.3, 95% CI 1.01–1.6). Conclusion There were a high proportion of children, which were fed inappropriately; Inappropriate complementary feeding practices predisposed children to undernutrition. Our study supports the introduction of complementary feeding, providing minimum dietary diversity, and minimum feeding frequency at six months of age as important in improving the nutritional status of the children.

scholarly journals Maternal determinants of optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding and their association with child undernutrition in Malawi (2015–2016)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine N. Walters ◽  
Hasina Rakotomanana ◽  
Joel J. Komakech ◽  
Barbara J. Stoecker
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Child Undernutrition ◽  
Maternal Determinants ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

Abstract Background Optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are critical to prevent child undernutrition. Despite the occurrence of child undernutrition and widespread suboptimal feeding practices in Malawi, the association of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and undernutrition among Malawian children remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine the current breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, to identify maternal determinants of each practice, and to analyze the associations between breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices with stunting, underweight, and wasting. Methods The most recent Malawi Demographic Health Survey (2015–2016) was used and data for 2294 children aged 0–23 months were included. A conceptual framework of five maternal domains: sociodemographic, health status, health behaviors, women’s empowerment, and media exposure was used. Each domain contained exposure variables and the WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators were used as outcome variables. All analyses were adjusted for clustering, and variables that reached a p-value of < 0.05 were considered significant in the final model. Results Among children, 30.8% were stunted, 9.9% were underweight, and 3.7% were wasted. Many (78%) were breastfed within the first hour of birth, 89% were breastfed until their first birthday, yet 40% were not exclusively breastfed to 6 months. Only 32% met minimum dietary diversity, 23% met minimum meal frequency, 12% met minimum acceptable diet and 12% consumed iron-rich foods. Children whose mothers lived in urban areas were less likely to be breastfed within 1 hour of birth but more likely to meet minimum dietary diversity. Children whose mothers listened to radio were more likely to meet minimum meal frequency. Children (13–23 months) who met minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet were less likely to be underweight. Conclusions Optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in Malawi remain suboptimal and child undernutrition remains problematic. Maternal characteristics from the five domains were significantly associated with optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding indicators. Knowledge of these maternal determinants can assist in improving nutrition policies and interventions that aim to impact breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and child growth in Malawi.

scholarly journals Complementary feeding practices in 80 low- and middle-income countries: prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in dietary diversity, meal frequency and dietary adequacy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Gatica-Domínguez ◽  
Paulo A. R. Neves ◽  
Aluísio J. D. Barros ◽  
Cesar G. Victora
Keyword(s):  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Socioeconomic Indicators ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo describe patterns and socioeconomic inequalities in complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in 80 low and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsWe analyzed national surveys carried out since 2010. Complementary feeding indicators for children aged 6-23 months included minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). Between- and within-country inequalities were documented using relative (wealth deciles) and absolute (estimated household income) socioeconomic indicators.ResultsOnly 21.3%, 56.2% and 10.1% of the 80 countries showed prevalence levels above 50% for MDD, MMF and MAD, respectively. Western & Central Africa showed the lowest prevalence for all indicators, whereas the highest for MDD and MAD was Latin America & Caribbean, and for MMF in East Asia & the Pacific. Log per capita gross domestic product was positively associated with MDD (R2 = 48.5%), MMF (28.2%) and MAD (41.4%). Pro-rich within-country inequalities were observed in most countries for the three indicators; pro-poor inequalities were observed in two countries for MMF, and in none for the other two indicators. Breastmilk was the only type of food with a pro-poor distribution, whereas animal-source foods (dairy products, flesh foods and eggs) showed the most pronounced pro-rich inequality. Dietary diversity improved sharply when absolute annual household incomes exceeded about US$20,000. There were no consistent differences among boys and girls for any of the indicators studied.ConclusionMonitoring complementary feeding indicators in the world and implementing policies and programs to reduce wealth-related inequalities are essential to achieve optimal child nutrition.

scholarly journals Association between women’s empowerment and infant and child feeding practices in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 3155-3165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzi Na ◽  
Larissa Jennings ◽  
Sameera A Talegawkar ◽  
Saifuddin Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the relationship between women’s empowerment and WHO recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in sub-Saharan Africa.DesignAnalysis was conducted using data from ten Demographic and Health Surveys between 2010 and 2013. Women’s empowerment was assessed by nine standard items covering three dimensions: economic, socio-familial and legal empowerment. Three core IYCF practices examined were minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were applied for the IYCF practices on dimensional and overall empowerment in each country.SettingBenin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe.SubjectsYoungest singleton children aged 6–23 months and their mothers (n 15 153).ResultsLess than 35 %, 60 % and 18 % of children 6–23 months of age met the criterion of minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet, respectively. In general, likelihood of meeting the recommended IYCF criteria was positively associated with the economic dimension of women’s empowerment. Socio-familial empowerment was negatively associated with the three feeding criteria, except in Zimbabwe. The legal dimension of empowerment did not show any clear pattern in the associations. Greater overall empowerment of women was consistently and positively associated with multiple IYCF practices in Mali, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. However, consistent negative relationships were found in Benin and Niger. Null or mixed results were observed in the remaining countries.ConclusionsThe importance of women’s empowerment for IYCF practices needs to be discussed by context and by dimension of empowerment.

scholarly journals Determinants and Current Level of Optimal Complementary Feeding Practices among Lactating Mothers of Children in Ambo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-50
Author(s):  
Haile Abebe ◽  
◽  
Belay Assefa ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Maternal Knowledge ◽  
Complementary Foods ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chi Square Test

An appropriate diet is critical in the growth and development of children especially in the first two years of life. Poor complementary feeding of children aged 6 months - 23 months contributes to the characteristics negative growth trends and deaths observed in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess determinants and current level of optimal complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged 6 months to 23 months in Ambo town, Oromia Region. The study used cross sectional study design and targeted 336 mothers with children 6 months - 23 months olds. Information from the respondents were collected using standard questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0 windows statistical software. All (100%) the children 6 months - 8 months old had received solid, semi-solid/soft foods. The minimum meal frequency was attained by 88.3% (95% CI 84.3-91.4) whereas the minimum dietary diversity was attained by 17.9% (95% CI 14.1-22.5). The minimum acceptable diet was attained by 15.4% (95% CI 11.9-19.8). Maternal knowledge on: importance of breastfeeding (87.3%); age of introduction of complementary foods (85.4%) and correct meal frequency for age (74.5%) was high. On the contrary, knowledge on the importance of enriching complementary foods (34.5%) was low. Mothers who knew the importance of a diverse diet were likely (chi-square test; p=0.001) to feed their children on a diverse diet. On the other hand, mothers who knew the importance of enriching complementary foods were likely to feed their children on a minimum acceptable diet (chi-square test; p = 0.007) and maternal knowledge on enriching complementary foods (OR = 3.41, p = 0.040) were significant predictors of consumption of Vitamin A rich foods, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet, respectively. Behaviour change and communication involving all the stakeholders in infant and young child feeding should be emphasized. Messages on appropriate feeding practices should include importance of dietary diversity

scholarly journals Influence of agriculture on child nutrition through child feeding practices in India: A district-level analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261237
Author(s):  
Deepshikha Dey ◽  
Arup Jana ◽  
Manas Ranjan Pradhan
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
District Level ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Indian Children ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices

Malnutrition continues to be a primary concern for researchers and policymakers in India. There is limited scientific research on the effect of agriculture on child nutrition in the country using a large representative sample. To the best of our knowledge, no study has examined the spatial clustering of child malnutrition and its linkage with agricultural production at the district-level in the country. The present study aims to examine agricultural production’s role in improving the nutritional status of Indian children through child feeding practices. The nutritional indicators of children from the National Family Health Survey-4 (2015–16) and the agricultural production data for all the 640 districts of India obtained from the District-Wise Crop Production Statistics (2015–16), published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India were used for the analysis. The statistical analysis was undertaken in STATA (version 14.1). ArcMap (version 10.3), and GeoDa (version 1.8) were used for the spatial analysis. The study found a higher prevalence of malnutrition among children who had not received Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF), Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD), and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD). Further, child feeding practices- MMF, MDD, and MAD- were positively associated with high yield rates of spices and cereals. The yield rate of cash crops, on the contrary, harmed child feeding practices. Production of pulses had a significant positive effect on MDD and MAD. Districts with high cereal yield rates ensured that children receive MMF and MAD. There is a significant spatial association between child feeding practices and malnutrition across Indian districts. The study suggests that adopting nutrient-sensitive agriculture may be the best approach to improving children’s nutritional status.

scholarly journals A Complementary Feeding Intervention for Fathers and Mothers in Northern Nigeria Improves Children's Minimum Meal Frequency and Consumption of Eggs and Fish

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 641-641
Author(s):  
Valerie Flax ◽  
Abiodun Ipadeola ◽  
Courtney Schnefke ◽  
Sarah Kwasu ◽  
Abdulrahaman Mikail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Gates Foundation

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to measure the effects of a social behavior change communication (SBCC) intervention on fathers’ and mothers’ complementary feeding knowledge and attitudes, fathers’ support for complementary feeding, and children's dietary diversity and meal frequency. Methods This study used cross-sectional surveys of cohabiting fathers and mothers with a child 6–23 months before (N = 497) and after (N = 495) the intervention in Igabi local government area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Participants were randomly sampled within 99 clusters selected proportional to population size. Regression models weighted for the survey design, including inverse propensity weights to adjust for differences in sociodemographic characteristics of the cross-sections, were used to assess before/after differences. Alive & Thrive's 12-month intervention engaged fathers through community meetings, religious services, and mobile phone text and voice messages. Mothers received home visits from community health extension workers (CHEWs), which fathers also could attend. SBCC materials included TV and radio messages, sermon guides, counseling cards, pamphlets, posters, and feeding bowls. Results Exposure of fathers to CHEW visits, fathers and mothers to mass media messages, and fathers to text/voice messages increased from baseline to endline. Fathers’ and mothers’ knowledge of the timing of introduction of different foods and meal frequency shifted toward the global recommendations. Fathers’ support for child feeding by providing money for food increased (79% to 90%, P &lt; 0.001). The percentage of children with minimum dietary diversity did not change (62% to 65%, P = 0.358). The percentage of children who consumed fish (36% to 44%, P = 0.012) and eggs (8% to 20%, P = 0.004), had minimum meal frequency (58% to 73%, P &lt; 0.001), and had minimum acceptable diet (40% to 52%, P &lt; 0.001) increased from baseline to endline. Conclusions A multipronged SBCC intervention improved fathers’ and mothers’ knowledge of complementary feeding, increased fathers’ support for complementary feeding, and modified some complementary feeding practices. Funding Sources This research was funded by the Alive & Thrive initiative, managed by FHI Solutions, and currently funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Irish Aid, the Tanoto Foundation, UNICEF, and the World Bank.

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