Stagnating trends in complementary feeding practices in Bangladesh

An analysis of national surveys from 2004‐2014

Bibliographic Data

ID15536017
AuthorsMuzi (0000-0002-8844-0646, Pennsylvania State University), Víctor M Aguayo (0000-0003-1825-4108, United Nations Children's Fund), Mary Arimond (0000-0003-1357-9077, Family Health International 360), Anuradha Narayan (0000-0002-4991-1361, Save the Children), Christine P Stewart (0000-0003-4575-8571, University of California, Davis, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume14
IssueS4
Pagese12624-e12624
Publication date2018-07-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.12624
PMID29999230
OpenAlexW2864829124
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited22

Bangladesh has experienced steady socio-economic development. However, improvements in child growth have not kept pace. It is important to document complementary feeding (CF) practices-a key determinant of children's growth-and their trends over time. The study aims to examine trends in CF practices in children aged 6-23 months using data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2014. Multilevel logistic regression models were applied to identify independent predictors of four CF practice indicators among children 6-23 months, namely, timely introduction of complementary foods, minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum acceptable diet. Introduction of complementary foods was achieved among 64-71% of children between 2004 and 2014. The proportion meeting minimum meal frequency increased from 2004 to 2007 (71-81%) and declined and held steady at 65% from 2011 to 2014. The proportion meeting minimum dietary diversity in 2011 and 2014 was low (25% and 28%), and so was minimum acceptable diet (19% and 20%). From 2007 to 2014, child dietary diversity decreased and the most decline was in the consumption of legumes and nuts (29% to 8%), vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (54% to 41%), and other fruits and vegetables (47% to 20%). Young child age (6-11 months), poor parental education, household poverty, and residence in the Chittagong and Sylhet independently predicted poorer feeding practices. Dietary diversity and overall diet in Bangladeshi children are strikingly poor. Stagnation or worsening of feeding practices in the past decade are concerning and call for decisive policy and programme action to address inappropriate child feeding practices

Agriculture · Dietary diversity · Diversity (politics · Environmental health · Food group · Food security · Geography · Logistic regression · Meal · Poverty · Residence · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare

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