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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Recurso digital |
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Zenodo
2025
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18512281 |
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Table of Contents:
- <div>Abstract</div> <div>The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between feeding practices and the</div> <div>nutritional status of children below the age of five years. The specific research objectives</div> <div>were to establish the relationship between dietary diversity and nutritional status, analyze</div> <div>the influence of exclusive breastfeeding and timely complementary feeding on nutritional</div> <div>status, and determine the feeding practices that guarantee optimum growth and</div> <div>development. A descriptive survey was conducted on 322 eligible mother-child pairs</div> <div>from each of the household. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding information was</div> <div>collected using the WHO infant and young child feeding questionnaire, translated into</div> <div>Hausa language and pre-tested for clarity and efficiency. Anthropometric information,</div> <div>weight, and height were taken to assess the nutritional status. Weight was taken using</div> <div>a standard Docbel Bruan Baby weighing scale and height using a measuring board.</div> <div>Feeding practices were evaluated by the study through indicators such as introduction</div> <div>of breastfeeding, complementary feeding, minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal</div> <div>frequency, and minimum acceptable diet. WHO Anthro v3.2.2 software was used in</div> <div>the calculation of weight-for-age (WAZ) and height-for-age (HAZ) z-scores. The findings</div> <div>reveal that there is a very significant correlation between dietary diversity and nutritional</div> <div>status (p = 0.001), with good dietary diversity being related to better nutritional status</div> <div>(p = 0.001). Exclusive breastfeeding and timely complementary feeding were also crucial</div> <div>for appropriate growth and development (p = 0.001). Children who received a minimum</div> <div>acceptable diet had better nutritional status compared to those who did not. The study</div> <div>aims to promote ideal feeding behaviors, including exclusive breastfeeding, timely</div> <div>complementary feeding, and dietary diversity, in order to sustain children’s health and</div> <div>well-being. Based on the findings, the study recommends promoting exclusive</div> <div>breastfeeding up to 6 months of age, starting complementary feeding at 6 months of age,</div> <div>and encouraging dietary diversity in children’s diets. The study has policy implications</div> <div>for health practitioners, caregivers, and policymakers on the importance of supporting</div> <div>ideal feeding practices for children’s health and well-being, as well as preventing</div> <div>malnutrition for children development and survival.</div> <div>Keywords: Feeding Practices, Breastfeeding, Complementary Feeding,</div> <div>Nutritional Status, Dietary Diversity</div>