The Association of Feeding Practices and Sociodemographic Factors on Underweight and Wasting in Children in Ethiopia: A Secondary Analysis of Four Health Surveys from 2000 to 2016

Abstract

Background Feeding practices highly influence the nutritional status of children between 6 and 23 months of age in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the association of feeding practices and sociodemographic factors on underweight and wasting of children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia. Methods Data on 8003 children 6–23 months of age from four Ethiopia demographic and health surveys (EDHS) from 2000 to 2016 were analyzed using complex sample crosstabs for multivariate analysis. The association of feeding practices and sociodemographic factors on underweight and wasting was assessed via multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting the covariates. The outcomes were reported based on the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Male children, very small at birth size children, diarrhea and fever, and short stature mother were risk factors for underweight and wasting (p < 0.05–0.001). Also, minimum dietary diversity, rich and middle-income families, vitamin A in the previous 6 months and antenatal care visits during pregnancy were protective factors for both underweight and wasting (p < 0.05–0.001). Minimum meal frequency was significantly related to lower odds of wasting (p < 0.001). Higher age of the child was significantly associated with underweight (p < 0.05–0.001); however, it was less likely wasted (p < 0.05–0.01). Conclusion The present study depicted that among infant young children feeding core indicators except breastfed, all the other indicators did not met the required standard; however, sociodemographic factors on four health surveys from 2000 to 2016 were associated with underweight and wasting in children in Ethiopia. LAY SUMMARY • Over the years the prevalence of underweight in children aged 6–23 months in the country has shown a significant improvement from 40.2% in 2000 to 34.7% in 2005, then further reduced to 28.9% and 20.0% in 2011 and 2016 EDHS, respectively. • In the same manner, the prevalence of wasting in children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia also observed improvement from 18.9% in 2000 to 16.7% in 2005, then further reduced to 15.4% and 13.9% in 2011 and 2016 EDHS, respectively. • Male children, very small at birth size children, diarrhea and fever (for the last 2 weeks), and short stature mother were risk factors for underweight and wasting. • Minimum dietary diversity, rich and middle-income families, vitamin A in the previous 6 months and antenatal care visits during pregnancy were protective factors for both underweight and wasting. • Minimum meal frequency was significantly related to lower odds of wasting. • Higher age of the children was significantly associated with underweight; however, less likely wasted.

Effect of Prenatal Dietary Pattern on Maternal Anemia and Low Birth Weight in Rural Areas of Kanpur

“…In our study Maternal dietary intake was inadequate given that around half (47.1%) of the mothers attained the practice of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) during the antenatal period. contrary to the other studies reveals that MDD-W was low, indicating a low-quality diet, with 34% acceptable maternal diet variety (3,5,7,8,9) . During each trimester of the antenatal period, mothers were asked to list the foods they ate on a regular basis.…”

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with child undernutrition: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Approximately half of studies from Asia (6/11) (Ahmed et al, 2012 ; Fuada et al, 2020 ; Hossain et al, 2020 ; Mashal et al, 2008 ; Ngoc Hien & Ngoc Hoa, 2009 ; Nguyen et al, 2017 ) indicated an increased risk of moderate underweight for children born to adolescent versus adult mothers, compared to two‐thirds of studies from SSA (8/12) (Boah et al, 2019 ; Friebert et al, 2017 ; Gbadamosi et al, 2017 ; Hiruy et al, 2021 ; Ickes et al, 2015 ; Linnemayr et al, 2008 ; Poda et al, 2017 ; Sobkoviak et al, 2012 ). No comparison by setting was possible for severe underweight, due to the limited number of studies included in the qualitative synthesis for this outcome.…”

“…Most studies (15/24, 63%) which reported data for moderate underweight (Supporting Information: Appendix 5a ) indicated an increased risk for children born to adolescent compared to adult mothers (Ahmed et al, 2012 ; Boah et al, 2019 ; Friebert et al, 2017 ; Fuada et al, 2020 ; Gbadamosi et al, 2017 ; Hiruy et al, 2021 ; Hossain et al, 2020 ; Ickes et al, 2015 ; Linnemayr et al, 2008 ; Mashal et al, 2008 ; Ngoc Hien & Ngoc Hoa, 2009 ; Nguyen et al, 2017 ; Poda et al, 2017 ; Schott et al, 2017 ; Sobkoviak et al, 2012 ). A total of three studies (13%) indicated a reduced risk of underweight for children born to adolescent mothers (Ali et al, 2019 ; Nakamori et al, 2010 ) and four (17%) indicated no difference (Akseer et al, 2018 ; Bekele et al, 2021 ; Hien & Kam, 2008 ; Kasaye et al, 2019 ; Kumar & Paswan, 2021 ).…”

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with child undernutrition: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Most studies (15/24, 63%) which reported data for moderate underweight (Supplementary Appendix 5b) indicated an increased risk for children born to adolescent compared to adult mothers (Ahmed et al, 2012;Boah, Azupogo, Amporfro, & Abada, 2019;Friebert, Callaghan-Gillespie, Papathakis, & Manary, 2017;Fuada, Latifah, Yunitawat, & Ashar, 2020;Gbadamosi, Goon, & Tugli, 2017;Hien & Hoa, 2009;Hiruy et al, 2021;Hossain et al, 2020;Ickes, Hurst, & Flax, 2015;Linnemayr, Alderman, & Ka, 2008;Mashal et al, 2008;Nguyen et al, 2017;Poda, Hsu, & Chao, 2017;Schott, Aurino, Penny, & Behrman, 2017;Sobkoviak, Yount, & Halim, 2012). A total of three studies (13%) indicated a reduced risk of underweight for children born to adolescent mothers (Ali et al, 2019;Nakamori et al, 2010) and four (17%) indicated no difference (Akseer et al, 2018;Bekele, Rawstorne, & Rahman, 2021;Hien & Kam, 2008;Kasaye, Bobo, Yilma, & Woldie, 2019;Kumar & Paswan, 2021).…”

“…Approximately half of studies from Asia (6/11) (Ahmed et al, 2012;Fuada et al, 2020;Hien & Hoa, 2009;Hossain et al, 2020;Mashal et al, 2008;Nguyen et al, 2017) indicated an increased risk of moderate underweight for children born to adolescent versus adult mothers, compared to two thirds of studies from SSA (8/12) (Boah et al, 2019;Friebert et al, 2017;Gbadamosi et al, 2017;Hiruy et al, 2021;Ickes et al, 2015;Linnemayr et al, 2008;Poda et al, 2017;Sobkoviak et al, 2012). Like severe wasting, a lack of data prevented geographical comparison for severe underweight.…”