OBJECTIVETo investigate the feeding patterns of infants in Huining County, Gansu Province, an economically undeveloped county in China, so as to provide scientific evidence for nutritional intervention.

METHODSBy cluster sampling based on the area distribution and the economic state, 437 children from 7 different areas in Huining County, Gansu Province were enrolled. A questionnaire on the feeding patterns within 24 months of age was completed by the caregivers. The addition of nutrient supplements (calcium, zinc, ferri, vitamin AD, etc.) during the last year was investigated using the food frequency questionnaires.

RESULTSThe average percentages of breast feeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding were 45.3%, 40.5% and 14.2% respectively. Delayed introduction of complementary food was the most common. Formula powder was added earliest, at age of 6.4 months. The meats were added latest, at age of 17.2 months. Only 66.8% of infants received an addition of complementary food at age of 4-6 months. Grains, vegetables, fruits and eggs were common complementary additional diets, but fishes and shrimps were seldom provided. The proportion of nutrient supplement use was low. The choice of nutrient supplements in urban districts mainly depended on the physicians' suggestions, but in rural area it depended on the caregivers' experience and media advertisements.

CONCLUSIONSThe feeding patterns for the infants are not reasonable in Huining County, Gansu Province. It is important to provide nutritional education and reasonable feeding program for caregivers from economically undeveloped areas.