Objective To identify major sources of energy and 24 nutrients and dietary constituents in the diets of US infants and toddlers and to describe shifts in major nutrient sources as children age. Design Data from 24-hour recalls collected in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study were analyzed to determine the percentage contribution of foods and supplements to total intakes of energy, nutrients, and other dietary constituents. A total of 3,586 unique foods and dietary supplements were reported. Reported foods and supplements were classified into 71 groups based on similarities in nutrient content and use. Nine-hundred seventy-nine food mixtures were disaggregated into their ingredients and ingredients were classified into one of the 71 groups using the same decision rules that guided classification of foods analyzed at the whole food level. Subjects/setting A national random sample of 3,022 US infants and toddlers 4 to 24 months of age. Statistical analyses performed The population proportion formula was used to determine the percentage contribution of each of the 71 groups to total intakes. This was done by summing the weighted amount of a given nutrient provided by a given group for all individuals in the sample and dividing by the total weighted amount of that nutrient consumed by all individuals from all foods and supplements. Groups that provided at least 1% of the nutrient in question were rank-ordered. Separate tabulations were prepared for three age groups (4-5 months, 6-11 months, and 12-24 months). Results Infant formula, breast milk, and milk are major contributors of energy and most nutrients in the diets of infants and toddlers. Among toddlers, juices and fruit-flavored drinks are the second and third most important sources of energy. Fortified foods make substantial contributions to intakes of many essential nutrients, and these contributions increase as children age. For example, among toddlers, fortified grain-based foods make substantial contributions to intakes of vitamin A, iron, and folate, relative to foods that are naturally rich in these nutrients. Supplements also make substantial contributions to intakes of vitamins and selected minerals, particularly among toddlers. Conclusions In assessing dietary intakes of infants and toddlers, dietetics professionals need to carefully consider contributions of fortified foods and supplements. Dietetics professionals should educate caregivers of infants and toddlers about the importance of foods (rather than just nutrients) in promoting health and about the importance of early feeding practices in the development of lifelong eating habits. Caregivers should be encouraged to avoid relying on fortified foods and supplements to meet nutrient needs and educated about the potential risk of excessive intakes. Caregivers of toddlers and infants over 4 to 6 months of age who are consuming solid foods should be encouraged to feed a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as foods naturally rich in iron.

Sources of energy and nutrients in the diets of infants and toddlers. Commentary

This study was carried out to assess complementary feeding practices of under-five children in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. A cross-sectional descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. The population for the study consisted of nursing mothers with children (0-24 months) attending their normal health services in seven (7) major primary health care centres in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State. A sample size of 210 nursing mothers was selected for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire titled “Assessment of Complementary Feeding Practices of Children Questionnaire”. The questionnaire was validated by three validates. Data generated using the research instrument was analyzed using frequency, percentages and mean. The findings obtained showed that most nursing mothers initiate complementary feeding at early age and their reasons often times are pressure from their family members who do not understand the benefits of adequate breast milk and pressure from employers to resume work. Majority of the sampled nursing mothers in the study area prefer cereal/grain, fruits, vegetables, yoghurt and custard over other complementary foods used in nursing a child. Majority of the respondent agreed that the nutritional status of infants introduced to complementary foods at their early stage of development is usually underweight, stunting and wasting. It was also established that inappropriate complementary feeding practices adopted by nursing mothers in the study areas has significant effect on the nutritional status of their infants. Therefore, the study recommends that there is need for promotion of women’s health and nutrition as a strategy that will benefit child nutritional status. Interventional programmes should target poorer household and mothers with lower educational level to improve complementary feeding practices of mothers. Developmental programmes should focus on empowering women in rural communities by improving of household income through creation of employment and access to credit facilities that will enable women engage in sustainable means of livelihood.

Assessment of Complementary Feeding Practices and Nutritional Status of Children (0-24 months) in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: One of the specific objectives of the National policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria, is to promote the timely introduction of appropriate and adequate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to 2 months and above. Objectives: The objective of this work was to assess the knowledge and practices of mothers as this will not only help in evaluating the effectiveness of the policy but also help in planning interventions to improve feeding practices. Methods: The study design was a cross sectional study and was done at the Immunization Clinic of a millennium development goal primary health care centre located in an urban community located in Enugu State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were used to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the nursing mothers. Results: A total of 59 nursing mothers participated in the study. The mean ratings (MNRs) of participants’ knowledge regarding complementary feeding ranged between 2.20 and 4.27 on a scale of 5. The MNRs for attitudes of mothers towards complementary feeding ranged from 2.07 to 4.60. The MNRs for complimentary feeding practices of the mothers ranged from 1.27 4.84. Conclusion: Results from the study suggest that there is a need for development of advocacy strategies to ensure that mothers not only receive education on appropriate complementary feeding practices but also to ensure that there is a behavioural change among the mothers.

https://www.ecronicon.com/ecnu/pdf/ECNU-15-00856.pdf

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Complementary Feeding among Nursing Mothers Attending a Millennium Development Goal Primary Health Centre in an Urban Community in Enugu State, Nigeria

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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Complementary Feeding among Nursing Mothers Attending a Millennium Development Goal Primary Health Centre in an Urban Community in Enugu State, Nigeria