Correlation of feeding practices and health profile of children

Abstract

Infants and children are assets of a country. The nutritional status of the infants mainly depends on feeding practices. Breastfeeding has been suggested as an influencing factor which can help in reduction of occurrence of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections most often associated with childhood deaths. One hundred and fifty mother-infant dyads were selected by convenience sampling technique. Structured checklists were used to assess the history of feeding practices and past physical illness in children. Physical assessment of children in the form of anthropometric measurements was done. The results of the study revealed that feeding practices had significant negative correlation with physical illness (r = -0.340, p < 0.001) in the children. No significant correlation was found between anthropometric measurements of the children and feeding practices of mothers (r = 0.056, p > 0.05). Children with good feeding practices had less physical illness as compared to children with average or poor feeding practices. So, it is recommended that exclusive breastfeeding must be provided to every child.