Complementary feeding patterns among ethnic groups in rural western China.

Peng-fei QU; Ya Zhang; Jia-mei LI; Ruo Zhang; Jiao-mei Yang; Fang-liang Lei; Shan-shan LI; Dan-meng Liu; Shao-nong Dang; Hong Yan

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Complementary feeding patterns among ethnic groups in rural western China.

Author: Peng-Fei QU ¹ ; Ya ZHANG ² ; Jia-Mei LI ¹ ; Ruo ZHANG ¹ ; Jiao-Mei YANG ¹ ; Fang-Liang LEI ¹ ; Shan-Shan LI ¹ ; Dan-Meng LIU ¹ ; Shao-Nong DANG ¹ ; Hong YAN ¹
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1. Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
2. Obstetrical Department, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an 710068, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Complementary feeding; Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI); Ethnic group; Western China
MeSH: Adult; Asian People; Child, Preschool; China; Cluster Analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational Status; Ethnicity; Feeding Behavior/ethnology*; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/ethnology*; Infant, Newborn; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Nutritional Status; Odds Ratio; Rural Population; Social Class; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2018;19(1):71-78
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:This study investigated complementary feeding practices among four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) based on a cross-sectional survey in rural western China.
METHODS:In 2005, a stratified multistage cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 9712 children (7411 Han, 1032 Uygur, 678 Tibetan, and 591 Zhuang) between 6 and 35 months of age and their mothers from 45 counties in 10 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in western China.
RESULTS:The rates of early introduction (before 6 months) of complementary foods in four ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Tibetan, and Zhuang) were 71.30%, 95.95%, 82.40%, and 72.30%, respectively. The Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) for Uygur and Tibetan children was lower than that for Han children at all age groups. Uygur children were more likely to have unqualified ICFI compared with Han children in a multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio (OR)=5.138, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.340-6.084). A higher level of maternal education, greater family wealth, and the availability of complementary feeding educational materials decreased the likelihood of an unqualified ICFI. The nutritional status of children (Han, Tibetan, and Zhuang) with qualified ICFI was better than that for children with unqualified ICFI.
CONCLUSIONS:Appropriate interventions are required to improve complementary feeding practices in rural western China.