Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Breastfeeding is well known and widely practiced in South Africa. However, exclusive breastfeeding is uncommon. This study examines the relationship between feeding practices and patterns of infant growth in the Northern region of Limpopo Province of South Africa. Secondary analysis was done on feeding practices data and child anthropometric measurements (weight, length and head circumference) were taken at a regular interval of 1 month for 186 infants for 1 year. At birth, 6.5% of infants had a low birth weight, 11.3% were stunted, 8.1% underweight and 7.5% were wasted. Stunting became noticeable in the early months with 18.9% being stunted (<-2SD) by the third month and this percentage remained high for the 12 months period. Increased weight gain was observed during the first 3 months but then declined until the mean WAZ at 12 months was below zero SD. About 6% of infants were overweight (>2SD) by the 12th months. The infants in this study were breastfed for longer period with 78% still breast feeding by the 9th months. However, exclusive breastfeeding was uncommon because of early introduction of supplementary food with 39.5% of infants receiving some grains by the end of the 1st month. Only 0.6% of the infants were exclusively breastfed for more than 3 months. The infants were introduced to supplementary feeds at an early age and had a low birth weight were stunted, underweight and wasted. There was no significant relationship between feeding practice and infant growth. Wasting was associated with the average income of the households. Interventions are needed to promote appropriate feeding during pregnancy, early initiation of breastfeeding as well as correct complementary feeding as advocated by UNICEF.
How to cite this article:
Mojeed Akorede Gbadamosi, Daniel Ter Goon and Augustine Tugli. Relationship Between Feeding Practices and Patterns of Infant Growth:
A Cross-Sectional Study.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/rjmsci.2017.166.173
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/rjmsci.2017.166.173