National survey showed that Chinese city children under two years of age had similar feeding patterns to developed countries

Abstract

Aim: This 2015 study was a part of the National Growth Survey of Children under seven years of age, which has been carried out in nine Chinese cities every 10 years since 1975. Our aim was to assess children's feeding practices and nutritional supplements. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 89 006 healthy children aged one to 24 months. All data were collected by face-to-face interviews during child health visits, using a questionnaire. Results: The exclusive breastfeeding rate was 53% in infants under six months of age, and the continued breastfeeding rate was 51% among infants who were 10–12 months and 5% when they were 21–24 months. Infants were weaned at a mean of 9.3 months in urban areas and 9.4 months in suburban areas. Cereals were provided as complementary food at a mean age of five months, eggs at six months, meat at eight and a half months and bean products at over 12 months. The most common nutritional supplements given to the children were vitamins A and D and calcium. Conclusion: The feeding practices of Chinese city children were similar to those in developed countries, but strategies are needed to promote more rational consumption of nutritional supplements.