Selected facets of nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life in vulnerable South African communities
Date
2016-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
Background. Optimal nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life can reap lasting benefits throughout life.
Objectives. To assess infant and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices and mother/caregiver-child anthropometry in two vulnerable Breede
Valley communities, Western Cape.
Methods. Mothers of children aged 0 - 23 months (N=322) were interviewed to assess IYCF practices. Anthropometric measurements of
mothers/caregivers and children were performed according to standard procedures.
Results. Mothers reported early breastfeeding (BF) initiation in 75.2% (242/322) of cases. Of infants <6 months old, 38.5% (45/117) were recorded
as exclusively breastfed (EBF). Cross-checking this figure with other research from the area, however, suggests significant over-reporting of EBF.
One in five infants <6 months were exclusively bottle fed (19.7%; 23/117) and 48.4% (156/322) aged 0 - 23 months had received bottle feeding in
the preceding 24 hours. Eighty-four percent (36/43) of 6 - 8-month-old infants were receiving complementary foods. BF was continued in 32.5%
(13/40) of children 12 - 15 months old. In children 6 - 23 months, 44.0% (90/205) received foods from four or more food groups, 71.0% (145/205)
received complementary foods the recommended minimum number of times or more, and 44.4% (91/205) received a minimum
acceptable diet.
The prevalence of stunting and overweight in children was 28.9% and 21.8%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight in mothers/caregivers was
28.9%, and 33.7% were obese, with a mean waist circumference of 88.6 cm.
Conclusion. Indicators showed sub-optimal IYCF practices with child under- and overnutrition coexisting with maternal/caregiver
overnutrition. This profile signals a need for urgent and appropriate interventions focusing on the first 1 000 days of life.
Description
CITATION: Du Plessis, L. et al. 2016. Selected facets of nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life in vulnerable South African communities. South African Journal of Child Health, 10(1):37-42, doi:10.7196/SAJCH.2016.v10i1.984.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajch.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajch.org.za
Keywords
Nutrition -- South Africa, Breastfeeding -- Infants, Malnutrition in children
Citation
Du Plessis, L. et al. 2016. Selected facets of nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life in vulnerable South African communities. South African Journal of Child Health, 10(1):37-42, doi:10.7196/SAJCH.2016.v10i1.984.