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

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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

0.05) 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