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Observational Study
. 2022 Jan 31;62(4):E909-E917.
doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.4.2287. eCollection 2021 Dec.

A study on parental awareness of feeding practices in children in the age-group 12-24 months

Swathi Ganesan  1 , Jaippreetha Jayaraj  1 , Sangeetha Geminiganesan  2 , Mahalakshmi Rajan  3
Affiliations
Observational Study

A study on parental awareness of feeding practices in children in the age-group 12-24 months

Swathi Ganesan et al. J Prev Med Hyg. .

Abstract

Introduction: Nutrition plays an integral part in growth and development of a child. Age-appropriate feeding is known to improve the child's well-being and reduce the risk of specific diseases. The present study aimed to assess the awareness of parents regarding breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.

Methodology: This health-based prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital enrolling 95 parents with children in the age group 1-2 years. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Microsoft excel.

Results: In the present study, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 73.68%. Eighty-six (90.53%) parents initiated complementary feeds at 6 months. However, only 45.26% of children were consuming adequate quantity of complementary foods. The association of child's calorie consumption with maternal age and occupation was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: Adequate nutrition during childhood and infancy is a key factor influencing growth and development. In the present study, the overall breastfeeding and complimentary feeding practices were satisfactory. However, the quantity of complementary feeding was inadequate. Counselling the mothers on appropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices during antenatal and postnatal visits may have a positive impact on infant feeding practices.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Colostrum; Complementary feeding; Malnutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Feeding characteristics of the children (N = 95).
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Quantity of complementary feeds among the children (N = 95).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Relationship between duration of breastfeeding and nourishment of the child (N = 95).
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Relationship between breastfeeding and nutritional status of the child (N = 95).
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Consumption of different food groups among the children (N = 95).
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Relationship between socio-economic class of the family and complementary feeding practice of the child (N = 95).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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