# Are infant feeding practices correlates of nutritional status of 6-23 months old babies in a rural community in Nigeria?

## TL;DR

This study examines how infant feeding practices affect the nutritional status of children aged 6-23 months in a Nigerian rural community.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific feeding practices linked to malnutrition in young children in a Nigerian rural setting.

## Key findings

- Children not exclusively breastfed were more likely to be wasted, stunted, or underweight.
- Low meal frequency and dietary diversity were associated with higher rates of malnutrition.
- Socioeconomic factors like caregiver occupation and income also influenced child nutrition.

## Abstract

Infant Feeding Practices (IFPs) and Nutritional Status (NS) of children between 6 – 23 months have been a matter of concern, and these were investigated in a rural community in Nigeria.

Data were collected from 368 mothers with children 6–23 months. IFPs and anthropometry were investigated among the children. Wasting (WHZ), stunting (HAZ), and underweight (WAZ); Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF), Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF), and Mean Dietary Diversity (MDD) were determined. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, and significance was set at p<0.05.

Wasting was 22.9%, 28.3% stunted, and 17.1% underweight. Children without EBF were thrice more likely to be wasted (OR = 3.454, 95%CI = 1.667 - 7.156), twice more likely to be stunted and underweight (OR = 2.189, 95%CI = 0.975 - 4.918). Those with low MMF were thrice more likely to be wasted (OR = 3.451, 95%CI = 1.798 - 6.622) and twice more likely to be stunted (OR = 1.674, 95%CI = 0.868 - 3.227). Those with low MDD were thrice more likely to be stunted (OR = 3.295, 95%CI = 0.856 – 12.683) and underweight (OR = 3.295, 95%CI = 0.856 - 12.683). Caregivers with unskilled occupations, who earn lower income, are younger in age, with a lower education level are associated with a higher likelihood of having children with wasting, stunting and underweight.

EBF, MMF, and MDD affected the NS of children 6-23 months in the study area.