scholarly journals Update on Technical issues concerning Complementary Feeding of Young Children in Developing Countries and Implications for Intervention Programs

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn G. Dewey ◽  
Kenneth H. Brown

This paper provides an update to the 1998 WHO/UNICEF report on complementary feeding. New research findings are generally consistent with the guidelines in that report, but the adoption of new energy and micronutrient requirements for infants and young children will result in lower recommendations regarding minimum meal frequency and energy density of complementary foods, and will alter the list of “problem nutrients.” Without fortification, the densities of iron, zinc, and vitamin B6 in complementary foods are often inadequate, and the intake of other nutrients may also be low in some populations. Strategies for obtaining the needed amounts of problem nutrients, as well as optimizing breastmilk intake when other foods are added to the diet, are discussed. The impact of complementary feeding interventions on child growth has been variable, which calls attention to the need for more comprehensive programs. A six-step approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating such programs is recommended.

Author(s):  
Natalia Nowakowska

Our three existing master narratives of the early Reformation in Poland are all over a century old and mutually contradictory, drawing on different sources to serve differing confessional and national/ist agendas. This chapter offers a fresh narrative of the impact of Lutheranism on the Polish composite monarchy to c.1540, synthesizing these older accounts and updating them with new research findings. This is a narrative in three parts: early signs (1517–24), the great Reformation year (1525), and aftershocks (1526–40). The chapter discusses the challenges of measuring ‘Lutheran’ sentiment, sets these Polish-Prussian events clearly in their comparative European context, and considers what implications they might have for that bigger, familiar tale. It stresses the precocity of Sigismund I’s monarchy, which saw the most far-reaching urban and violent Reformation in 1520s Europe (Danzig), a peasant Reformation rising, and Christendom’s first territorial-princely Reformation, in Ducal Prussia.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1741-1750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaleab Baye ◽  
Jean-Pierre Guyot ◽  
Christèle Icard-Vernière ◽  
Claire Mouquet-Rivier

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize current feeding practices and to evaluate the adequacy of energy and nutrient intakes of young children in subsistence farming rural households in North Wollo, Ethiopia.DesignA cross-sectional study examining sociodemographic status, anthropometry, breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices using two in-home non-consecutive 24 h recalls.SettingsTwo rural villages in the highlands and lowlands of Gobalafto district, North Wollo.SubjectsSeventy-six young children aged 12–23 months, thirty-nine from the lowlands and thirty-seven from the highlands.ResultsAbout 33 % of the children, ∼46 % in the highlands and 24 % in the lowlands (P = 0·05), were stunted. Complementary diets were low in animal products, fruits and vegetables. Cereals and legumes were the major sources of energy, protein, Ca, Fe, Zn and vitamin A. Legumes with potentially toxic components (grass pea, broad beans) and low nutrient-dense beverages such as tea were frequently consumed. Intakes of energy, Ca, Zn, vitamin A and vitamin C from complementary foods were below WHO recommendations assuming average breast-milk intakes. In contrast, Fe and protein intakes and densities met WHO recommendations. Although vitamin C intakes and densities were higher (P < 0·05) for the lowlands, they remained far below WHO recommendations.ConclusionsInterventions promoting the WHO guiding principles for complementary feeding practices and behaviours that take the agro-ecological contexts into account are needed here. Furthermore, specific recommendations should be formulated to discourage the consumption of grass pea, broad beans and low nutrient-dense beverages such as tea.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 162-162
Author(s):  
Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt ◽  
Taylor Wallace ◽  
Peter Rohloff ◽  
Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez ◽  
Gabriela Proaño ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Studies in Ecuador and Malawi have demonstrated mixed effects of interventions involving daily complementary feeding of eggs on child growth. For example, in Malawi, the egg intervention had no overall effect on child development. There is a need to test the effects of egg interventions on child growth and development in other settings with high prevalence of stunting and in the context of other nutritional interventions. The Saqmolo’ (i.e.,“egg” in the Mayan language, Kaqchiquel) study aims to evaluate the impact of adding 1 egg per day to local standard nutrition care (LSNC) on child development, in rural Maya infants from Guatemala. Methods In a community-based, individually randomized, controlled comparative effectiveness trial among rural indigenous Maya children (n = 1200), starting at 6–9 months at baseline, we will compare the impact of adding one egg per day to LSNC with LSNC alone. LSNC includes: growth monitoring, medical care, deworming medication, multiple micronutrient powders for point of use food fortification, and individualized complementary and responsive feeding education for caregivers. Intervention and control groups will be visited once per month during 6-months and adherence will be monitored during the visits and through phone calls for the first 2 months in both groups at the same frequency. The primary outcome is differences in child global development (measured by Caregiver Reported Child Development Instruments –CREDI-and the Guide for Monitoring Child Development GMCD); secondary outcomes include: growth (z-scores for weight for age, length for age, weight for length, and head circumference for age), and diet quality (using the World Health Organization's infant and young child feeding indicators). Results N/A (submitting study protocol abstract). Conclusions This study will provide new evidence on the potential effect of increased egg accessibility in high prevalence stunting areas along with integrated nutrition care on child development. The results may help to inform public health decision-making regarding resource allocation for effective nutrition interventions during the complementary feeding period in Guatemala. Funding Sources This work was supported by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation via an investigator-initiated research grant from the Egg Nutrition Center.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Roedi Irawan ◽  
Nur Aisiyah Widjaja ◽  
Meta Herdiana Hanindita

After approximately 6 months of age, term breastfed infants are increasingly depend on other sources of iron to avoid iron deficiency anemia, due to the depletion of the low concentration of iron in human milk. The appropriate complementary feeding must include a balance composition of foods containing an adequate amount of macro- and micronutrients to avoid iron deficiency anemia. This study aimed to compare the risk of iron deficiency and growth in breastfeed infants receiving commercial fortified complementary foods or home-made. A cross-sectional study was held on April-June 2016 to evaluate infants aged 6-24 months with breast feeding intake for 6 month of life. Complementary feeding practices were determined by questionnaire; an unquantified food frequency and feeding practices questionnaire was used to determine usual food intake. Biochemical assessment of haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF) and serum iron (SI) level were measured. Anthropometric were assessed using WHO Child Growth Standard 2005. Statistical analysis used were Chi-square Test. Thirty eight infants were enrolled, mean age of 16.2 (SD 10.5) months. 17 infants consumed commercial complementary foods and 21 infants use home-made. Infants with home-made had lower Hb level, SF and SI  than those receiving commercial complementary food, and had higher risk of underweight, stunted and wasted. Infants with home-made complementary food had lower haemoglobin, serum feritin and serum iron levels than those in fortified complementary food CF; and a higher risk of stunted and wasted than children with commercial fortified CF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flaminia Ortenzi ◽  
Ty Beal

Background: Given their high nutrient requirements and limited gastric capacity, young children during the complementary feeding period (6–23 months) should be fed nutrient-dense foods. However, complementary feeding diets in low- and middle-income countries are often inadequate in one or more essential micronutrients. In South and Southeast Asia infants' and young children's diets are commonly lacking in iron, zinc, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B12, and calcium, hereafter referred to as priority micronutrients.Objective: This study aimed to identify the top food sources of priority micronutrients among minimally processed foods for complementary feeding of children (6–23 months) in South and Southeast Asia.Methods: An aggregated regional food composition database for South and Southeast Asia was built, and recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) from complementary foods were calculated for children aged 6–23 months. An approach was developed to classify foods into one of four levels of priority micronutrient density based on the calories and grams required to provide one-third (for individual micronutrients) or an average of one-third (for the aggregate score) of RNIs from complementary foods.Results: We found that the top food sources of multiple priority micronutrients are organs, bivalves, crustaceans, fresh fish, goat, canned fish with bones, and eggs, closely followed by beef, lamb/mutton, dark green leafy vegetables, cow milk, yogurt, and cheese, and to a lesser extent, canned fish without bones.Conclusions: This analysis provided insights into which foods to prioritize to fill common micronutrient gaps and reduce undernutrition in children aged 6–23 months in South and Southeast Asia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halima S. Twabi ◽  
Samuel O. M. Manda ◽  
Dylan S. Small

Introduction: Appropriate complementary foods have been found to provide infants and young children with nutritional needs for their growth and development. In the absence of a randomized control trial (RCT), this study used observational data to evaluate the effect of appropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children aged 6–23 months in Malawi using a propensity score matching statistical technique.Methods: Data on 4,722 children aged 6 to 23 months from the 2015–16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) were analyzed. Appropriate complementary feeding practices were assessed using the core indicators recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and consist of the introduction of complementary feeding, minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet based on a dietary intake during a most recent 24-h period.Results: The prevalence of stunting (height-for-age z-score &lt; −2 SD) was 31.9% (95% CI: 29.3%, 34.6%), wasting (weight-for-height z-score &lt; −2 SD) 3.5% (95% CI: 2.6%, 4.7%) and underweight (weight-for-age z-score &lt; −2 SD) 9.9% (95% CI: 8.4%, 11.8%). Of the 4,722 children, 7.7% (95% CI: 6.9%, 8.5%) were provided appropriate complementary foods. Appropriate complementary feeding practices were found to result in significant decrease in stunting (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.95). They also resulted in the decrease of wasting (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1, 1.7) and underweight (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.2, 1.7).Conclusion: Appropriate complementary feeding practices resulted in a reduction of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children 6 to 23 months of age in Malawi. We recommend the continued provision of appropriate complementary foods to infants and young children to ensure that the diet has adequate nutritional needs for their healthy growth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasina Rakotomanana ◽  
Deana Hildebrand ◽  
Gail E Gates ◽  
David G Thomas ◽  
Fanjaniaina Fawbush ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Data are limited on how feeding knowledge and practices relate to child undernutrition in the highlands of Madagascar. Objectives This study assessed maternal knowledge and practices of complementary feeding and their associations with anthropometrics of children aged 6–23 mo in the Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar. Methods Knowledge was assessed using WHO recommendations on child feeding, and WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were used to evaluate feeding practices. Child growth was measured as length-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-length z-scores using the 2006 WHO growth standards. A z-score less than −2 was classified as child undernutrition. Logistic regression models were used to determine associations between independent variables and outcomes. Focus group discussions among mothers and in-depth interviews with key informants were conducted; barriers and facilitators of optimal feeding practices were identified using a thematic analysis approach. Results Maternal knowledge scores regarding child feeding averaged 6.4 of 11. Better knowledge scores were associated with higher odds of appropriate complementary feeding practices before and after covariate adjustments. The proportions of children achieving the minimum dietary diversity (35.8%), minimum acceptable diet (30.2%), and consuming meat, fish, and poultry (14.1%) were low. Only consumption of iron-rich foods was associated with lower odds of underweight (adjusted OR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.7; P &lt; 0.05). None of the IYCF indicators were associated significantly with stunting or wasting. Maternal attitudes about complementary foods, as well as mothers’ workload and very low income, were identified as barriers to optimal feeding practices. Maternal perceived benefits of giving appropriate complementary foods as well as their positive relationship with the community health workers were the main facilitators of optimal child feeding. Conclusions Integrated nutrition-sensitive interventions addressing these barriers while enhancing the facilitators are critical in promoting better feeding practices in the Vakinankaratra region.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fekadu Bekele ◽  
Berhan Meshesha ◽  
Bethlehem Eshetu

Abstract Background: Nutrition in infancy and early childhood is a critical determinant of health outcomes and productivity of the individual throughout his/her life years. Thus, World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund recommend initiation of complementary foods at 6 months to ensure optimal child growth and development. In Ethiopia, compliance with infant and young child feeding recommendations is low despite its adoption of different international policies and guidelines. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of early initiation of complementary feeding among infants in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hawassa City, in January 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was applied to recruit 543 mothers who had infants aged 6 to 12 months. A structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. by six. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with the early initiation of complementary feeding. Adjusted odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence interval was calculated to show the strength of association. Result: A total of 543 mothers/caregivers of infants were interviewed face to face, giving a response rate of 97%. Approximately 38% of mothers initiated complementary foods before six months of age. After adjusting for confounders, maternal employment status [AOR (95%CI): 4.72 (2.84, 7.87)] and postnatal care checkup [AOR (95%CI): 1.92 (1.24, 2.97)] were significantly associated with early initiation of complementary feeding. Conclusion: A high proportion of mothers initiated complementary feeding before six months of infant's age. Postnatal care checkup and mother’s occupational status were significantly associated with early initiation of complementary feeding. Thus, increasing the coverage of postnatal care utilization and creating mother-friendly workplaces for breastfeeding mothers is of paramount importance to realize appropriate complementary feeding practices.


Author(s):  
Kim M. Mitchell

This paper argues that social media can function as an informal community of practice in writing scholarship where knowledge is absorbed into a user’s identity and practice through storytelling. Social media has increasingly attracted academics and educators as a method of trialing new research ideas and classroom strategies, seeking early peer review, and as a knowledge translation strategy for sharing research findings. Platforms such as Twitter and blogs work in tandem to provide exposure, encourage reflection, and build community. Storytelling becomes a form of persuasion, through use of literary strategies, to influence change. This argument recognizes how social media writing is situated in a unique genre and requires writing strategies that may be unfamiliar to academic writers. A social media storytelling interlude demonstrates a case of social media persona development for writing scholarship and acts as an example of the voice, tone, and literary strategies of social media writing. The paper concludes with a discussion of strategies aligned with researching the impact of social media on pedagogical practices.


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