# Comparison of infant and young child feeding practices and demographic characteristics between healthy and malnourished children aged 0-23 months in Pakistan

## TL;DR

This study compares feeding practices and demographics of healthy and malnourished children in Pakistan to identify factors linked to malnutrition.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific socioeconomic and feeding factors associated with malnutrition in young children in Pakistan.

## Key findings

- Low paternal education and maternal employment were negatively associated with children's nutritional status.
- Male gender and parental education were positively linked to better nutritional outcomes.
- Minimal meal frequency was a significant risk factor for malnutrition.

## Abstract

Children living in low and middle-income class settings exhibit varied nutritional status ranging from healthy to malnourished. Differences in socioeconomic conditions and Infant & young child feeding practices may be responsible for nutritional disparities among them. This case-control study aimed to explore these differences among healthy and malnourished children aged 0-23 months.

This was a hospital-based, case-control study. The study was conducted in the outpatient department of The Indus Hospital, Karachi from June 2022 till December 2022. A total of 380 children aged 0-23 months were recruited from the outpatient department.. Compliance to different IYCF indicators, ranging from breastfeeding to complementary feeding, was. assessed by taking 24 hours food recall. Mid-upper arm circumference was used to categorize the nutritional status of children.

The dominant food groups consumed were roots, grains, and tubers, while consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits, flesh food, eggs, fruits, and vegetables were relatively low in both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that low paternal education (COR = 3.64; 95% CI: 2.07, 6.40), employment of mother (COR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.19, 4.36), and achieving minimal meal frequency (AOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.09, 5.31) had a negative association with the nutritional status of children while male gender (COR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.79) and maternal education (AOR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.60) and paternal employment (COR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.59) were positively associated with nutritional status.

We conclude that lack of parental education, father unemployment, maternal employment, and minimal meal frequency were significantly associated with malnutrition in children.