Exploring the Factors Associated with Dietary Diversity of Children Aged 6–59 Months in Some Rural and Slum Areas of Bangladesh amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Effect Regression Analysis

Abstract

Background Dietary diversity (DD) is one of the key components of diet quality, and malnutrition due to poor diet quality led to child morbidity and mortality. However, in Bangladesh, there is a lack of information on childhood DD (aged 6–59 months) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the minimum DD and its associated factors among children aged 6–59 months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out in six districts of Bangladesh. A total of 1190 respondents were included using cluster random sampling. Individual Dietary Diversity scale (IDDS) for children was used to assess the children's dietary diversity score. Factors associated with DD of children were identified using multilevel binary logistics regression model. Results About 70% of the children aged 6–59 months had minimum DD during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Children who belonged to slum areas (AOR = 0.45 95% CI: 0.24–0.83), family income 12000–15000 BDT (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.06–3.05) and above 15000 BDT (AOR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.47–4.57), mothers aged between 26 to 30 years (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.20–0.62) and more than 30 years (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.85), respondents who had two under-five children (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.28–0.66), and children aged 12–23 months (AOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.20) were significantly associated with DD among children aged 6–59 months. Conclusion The findings of this study highlight the need food and nutrition-related intervention, particularly targeting the mothers of younger age and having more than two under-five children, mothers from slum regions and, fathers who were unemployed improving dietary diversity practices of the children.

Minimum Dietary Diversity Among Children Aged 6–59 Months in East Africa Countries: A Multilevel Analysis

“…The odds of having adequate dietary diversity were 30% lower among children whose mothers were in the age group of 35-49, compared to those whose mothers were in the age group of 15-19, which is supported by a study done in Ethiopia [23] and Bangladesh [43]. As the age of the mother increased, the probability of children getting adequate minimum dietary diversity of food is decreased [40,43]. This may be related to the increase in maternal age and increase in family size that can affect the economic status of households to provide a variety of nutrients for all family members as per recommendations.…”

“…The odds of having adequate dietary diversity were 30% lower among children whose mothers were in the age group of 35-49, compared to those whose mothers were in the age group of 15-19, which is supported by a study done in Ethiopia [23] and Bangladesh [43]. As the age of the mother increased, the probability of children getting adequate minimum dietary diversity of food is decreased [40,43].…”

Socio-economic inequalities in and factors associated with minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months in South Asia: a decomposition analysis

“…The key to assessing nutritional adequacy in young children and newborns is to increase dietary diversity since it ensures enough intake of critical nutrients and a high-quality diet 9. Therefore, a diet made up of a variety of food categories is crucial to ensuring enough nutrition, preventing malnutrition, and promoting healthy growth and development from infancy to adolescence 10 11. Minimum dietary diversity (MDD) is an issue that both underdeveloped and wealthy countries are concerned about.…”

“… 9 Therefore, a diet made up of a variety of food categories is crucial to ensuring enough nutrition, preventing malnutrition, and promoting healthy growth and development from infancy to adolescence. 10 11 Minimum dietary diversity (MDD) is an issue that both underdeveloped and wealthy countries are concerned about. Globally, less than one-third of infants and young children are receiving the recommended diversified diet, while South Asia and sub-Saharan African countries are in a dire situation here; only one out of every four children aged 6–23 months consumes a minimally diversified diet.…”

Socio-economic inequalities in minimum dietary diversity among Bangladeshi children aged 6–23 months: a decomposition analysis

“…The rest of the variables are used as recorded by BDHS. All the variables in the study are selected based on the previous literatures addressing minimum dietary diversity or any Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices 15,17,24,29,30 .…”