Introducing Solid Foods to Infants in the Asia Pacific Region

Abstract

For infants’ optimal growth and development, the introduction of nutritionally suitable solid foods at the appropriate time is essential. However, less attention has been paid to this stage of infant life when compared with studies on breastfeeding initiation and duration. The practice of introducing solid foods, including the types of foods given to infants, in the Asia Pacific region was reviewed. In total nine studies using the same questionnaire on infant feeding practices were analysed to gain a better understanding of trends in the introduction of solid foods in this region. All studies showed less than optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding indicating an earlier time of introduction of solid foods than recommended by the WHO. Most mothers commonly used rice or rice products as the first feed. In many studies, the timing of introducing solid foods was associated with breastfeeding duration. Compared with the Recommended Nutrient Intakes for infants aged above six months, rice/rice products are of lower energy density and have insufficient micronutrients unless they have been fortified. Although the timing of introducing solid foods to infants is important in terms of preventing later health problems, the quality of the foods should also be considered. Recommendations to improve the introduction of solid foods include measures to discourage prelacteal feeding, facilitating breastfeeding education and providing better information on healthier food choices for infants.

The evolution of sex-specific virulence in infectious diseases

“…This claim is sustained by three observations: (i) in Japan the spatial distribution of HTLV-1 has a patchy structure characteristic of vertical transmission495051 while in the Caribbean the distribution is more uniform5253; (ii) HTLV-1 transmission through breast-feeding (vertical transmission) is not sex-biased but transmission through sexual contact (horizontal transmission) is female-biased. In Japan prevalence of HTLV-1 is unbiased early in life and female biased later in life (from age 40-50) which is consistent with vertical transmission being more important there505154 while in the Caribbean prevalence of HTLV-1 is female biased all through adult life (from age 20)5355; (iii) Japanese women include breast-milk in their children's diet for longer time and in greater proportion than Caribbean women565758 thus increasing the rate of vertical transmission per child59.…”

Epidemiology of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome

“…Rice is the commonest weaning solid food in the United Kingdom, Japan and China [42,56], but whether FPIES to rice is common and a more frequent cause than other foods has not been studied…”

Timely Initiation of Complementary Feeding and Associated Factors among Children Aged 6 to 12 Months in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, 2015

“…Appropriate complementary feeding depends on accurate information and skilled support from the family, community and health care system [1]. Inadequate knowledge about appropriate foods and feeding practices is often a greater determinant of malnutrition than the lack of food [2].…”

“…Complementary foods must also be nutritionally adequate and provide the bio available nutrients required, in combination with breast milk, to meet all needs for growth and optimal health [1]. Since the nutrients in breast milk are generally more bio available than from other sources, breast milk remains an important component of nutrition after the introduction of solids [1,2].…”