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Infant and young child feeding practice, dietary diversity, associated predictors, and child health outcomes in Bangladesh
Authors: Nurnabi Sheikh, Raisul Akram, Nausad Ali, SM Raysul Haque, Shabareen Tisha, Rashidul Alam Mahumud, Abdur Razzaque Sarker, and Marufa Sultana
Source: Journal of Child Health Care, Online first; DOI: 10.1177/1367493519852486
Topic(s): Child feeding
Child health
Nutrition
Country: Asia
  Bangladesh
Published: JUN 2019
Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the association of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices with health and nutritional status among children aged 0–23 months and to investigate the predictors of minimum acceptable diets (MADs) using Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) data. Binary logistic regression models were performed to assess the association between IYCF and child health and to determine the influential predictors for MAD. About 55% mothers reported exclusive breastfeeding; 65% introduced solid, semisolid, or soft foods for their child; and 27% maintained minimum dietary diversity (MDD). About 64% children received recommended minimum meal frequency (MMF) and 23% received recommended MAD. The likelihood of having wasting was .22 times lower for the child who received MDD and MMF, respectively. MDD and MAD were associated with lower probability of experiencing underweight among children (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = .73 and AOR= .81, respectively). Early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding were significantly associated with reduction in diarrhea prevalence among young children. The findings of the study generated imperative evidence related to dietary diversity, associated factors, and child health outcomes. Policy should focus on the improvement of IYCF practices and complimentary food diversity by taking initiatives for designing and implementing effective interventions to tackle childhood morbidity. Keywords Bangladesh, breastfeeding, children, IYCF, malnutrition