A comparison of observed feeding practices of infants and young children aged 6–23 months to national responsive feeding recommendations in Sri Lanka

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15537254
AutoresTeresa Schwendler (0000-0002-0822-4880, Pennsylvania State University), Dhammica Rowel (United Nations Children's Fund India), Safina Abdulloeva (United Nations Children's Fund India), Hiranya Jayawickrama (0000-0002-0462-7914, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine), Chithramalee De Silva (Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine), Olivia Romano (0000-0003-4084-5342, Pennsylvania State University), Upul Senarath (0000-0001-6152-6258, University of Colombo), Stephen R Kodish (0000-0003-0929-3252, Pennsylvania State University, autor correspondente)
Ano2023
Volume19
Fascículo3
Páginase13522-e13522
Data de publicação2023-04-18
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13522
PMID37072687
OpenAlexW4366352143
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas39

To describe the extent to which Sri Lankan caregivers follow current national responsive feeding recommendations and the factors limiting and enabling those behaviours. Study design. This ethnographic substudy was conducted using a four-phase, mixed methods formative research design across rural, estate and urban sectors of Sri Lanka. Data collection methods. Data were collected using direct meal observations and semistructured interviews. Participants including infants and young children aged 6-23 months (n = 72), community leaders (n = 10), caregivers (n = 58) and community members (n = 37) were purposefully sampled to participate in this study. Data analysis. Observational data were summarized using descriptive statistics while textual data were analysed thematically using Dedoose. Findings were then interpreted vis-à-vis six national responsive feeding recommendations. During observed feeding episodes, caregivers were responsive to nearly all food requests (87.2% [34/39]) made by infants and young children. Many caregivers (61.1% [44/72]) also positively encouraged their infant and young child during feeding. Despite some responsive feeding practices being observed, 36.1% (22/61) of caregivers across sectors used forceful feeding practices if their infant or young child refused to eat. Interviews data indicated that force-feeding practices were used because caregivers wanted their infants and young children to maintain adequate weight gain for fear of reprimand from Public Health Midwives. Despite overall high caregiver knowledge of national responsive feeding recommendations in Sri Lanka, direct observations revealed suboptimal responsive feeding practices, suggesting that other factors in the knowledge-behaviour gap may need to be addressed

Breastfeeding · Data collection · Descriptive statistics · Family medicine · Formative assessment · Infant feeding · Observational study · Research design · Socioeconomics · Sri lanka · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Pediatrics