Maternal Dietary Habits And Knowledge: Impact On Nutritional Status Of Children

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status is the balance between intake of nutrients and its expenditure in the processes of growth, reproduction and health maintenance, and a critical determinant of growth and development of children. Without proper nutrition, children are likely to face early physical growth failure, delayed motor, cognitive and behavioral development, diminished immunity and increased mortality and morbidity. Appropriate maternal/caregiver counselling and extensive child growth programmes are linked with improved maternal/caregiver’s knowledge on infant feeding, including proper selection of food items, as well as positive anthropometric outcomes of children. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional knowledge, dietary habits and infant feeding practices of mothers with well-nourished children to that of those with malnourished children. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to gather data on the characteristics, nutritional knowledge and infant feeding practices of the mothers. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intake of the children. Saliva samples were taken from the children to determine amylase,total protein and albumin concentrations. Results: Ninety- two mothers participated in the study (50 mothers with well-nourished and 42 mothers with malnourished children). Mothers of well-nourished children were much older (mean age of 32.84±6.88 years) than the mothers of malnourished children (29±6.73 years). Over one third (38%) of mothers of malnourished children were single parents as compared with 14% of mothers of well-nourished children. More than one in five (21.4%) of mothers of malnourished children had never been to school compared with 8% of those with well-nourished children. Compared to mothers of malnourished children, more of the mothers of well-nourished children had accurate knowledge of the time that breastfeeding ought to be initiated after birth; the 6 food groups and foods that protects the body against diseases. Marital status had a significant association with weight (p =0.0002) and MUAC (p <0.0001) of the children. Mothers’ educational level did not have any significant association (all p >0.05) with nutritional status of the children. Mothers’ knowledge of the six food groups had a significant association with weight (p =0.0.016), MUAC (p <0.0465) and height (p <0.0089) of the children. Also, mothers’ knowledge of the protective foods had a significant association with weight (p =0.0126) and MUAC (p <0.0035) of the children. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between both the mothers’ dietary habits and infant feeding practices and the nutritional status of the children. However, the mothers’ knowledge of the six food groups had a significant association with weight (p =0.0.016), MUAC (p <0.0465) and height (p <0.0089) of the children. Also, mothers’ knowledge of the protective foods had a significant association with weight (p =0.0126) and MUAC (p <0.0035) of the children. Appropriate infant and young child feeding practices should be a constant feature of the nutrition education given to mothers attending child welfare clinics.