Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study

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dc.creatorKuchenbecker, J.
dc.creatorJordan, I.
dc.creatorReinbott, A.
dc.creatorHerrmann, J.
dc.creatorJeremias, T.
dc.creatorKennedy, G.
dc.creatorMuehlhoff, E.
dc.creatorMtimuni, B.
dc.creatorKrawinkel, M.B.
dc.date2015-02
dc.date2015-01-16T12:38:28Z
dc.date2015-01-16T12:38:28Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T13:53:06Z
dc.descriptionAbstract Background: For the optimal nutrition of children under 2 years of age, it is considered important that they be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months before being given complementary food. Aims and Objectives: A cross-sectional nutritional baseline survey was undertaken in 2011 in the Kasungu and Mzimba Districts of Malawi to assess the nutritional status of children under 2 years of age and its determinants in order to prepare a nutrition education intervention programme. The intention of this study was to assess the nutritional status of infants aged 0–<6 months with regard to food intake. Methods: Interviews were conducted on randomly selected families with children under 2 years; anthropometric measurements were obtained from mothers and their children. Only infants between 0 and <6 months were selected for analysis (n  =  196). An ANCOVA test was performed on age of the infant with mothers’ height and weight as covariates. Results: Prevalence of stunting (infants’ length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) <−2SD) was 39%, wasting (WLZ <−2SD) 2%, and underweight (WAZ <−2SD) 13%. Of the infants under 6 months, 43% were exclusively breastfed. Predominant breastfeeding and mixed breastfeeding were less common (21% and 36%, respectively). The ANCOVA confirmed the association between exclusive breastfeeding and LAZ and WAZ: exclusively breastfed infants had a higher mean (SE) LAZ (−1·13, 0·12) and WAZ (−0·41, 0·13) than infants not being exclusively breastfed (−1·59, 0·11, and −0·97, 0·11, respectively). There was no overall significant association between breastfeeding practice and WLZ. Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding of infants under 6 months is associated with higher mean LAZ and WAZ. Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in low-income countries is important in preventing growth retardation.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/53028
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/68790
dc.languageen
dc.publisherInforma UK Limited
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceKuchenbecker, J.; Jordan, I.; Reinbott, A.; Herrmann, J.; Jeremias, T.; Kennedy, G.; Muehlhoff, E.; Mtimuni, B.; Krawinkel, M.B. Exclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study. Paediatrics and International Child Health 35(1) p. 14–23 ISSN: 2046-9047
dc.subjectbreast feeding
dc.subjectchild feeding
dc.subjectgrowth
dc.subjectinfants
dc.subjectnutritional status
dc.titleExclusive breastfeeding and its effect on growth of Malawian infants: results from a cross-sectional study
dc.typeJournal Article

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