Selected facets of nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life in vulnerable South African communities

• Published in: SAJCH : the South African journal of child health Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 37 - 42
• Main Authors: du Plessis, L.M, Herselman, M.G, McLachlan, M.H, Nel, J.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Health & Medical Publishing Group 01-03-2016
• Subjects: Child nutrition; Health aspects; Health Care Sciences & Services; Management; Mother-child relations; South Africa
• ISSN: 1994-3032; 1999-7671; 1999-7671
• DOI: 10.7196/SAJCH.2016.v10i1.984

Background. Optimal nutrition during the first 1 000 days of life can reap lasting benefits throughout life. Objectives. To assess infant and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices and mother/caregiver-child anthropometry in two vulnerable Breede Valley communities, Western Cape. Methods. Mothers of children aged 0-23 months (N=322) were interviewed to assess IYCF practices. Anthropometric measurements of mothers/caregivers and children were performed according to standard procedures. Results. Mothers reported early breastfeeding (BF) initiation in 75.2% (242/322) of cases. Of infants <6 months old, 38.5% (45/117) were recorded as exclusively breastfed (EBF). Cross-checking this figure with other research from the area, however, suggests significant over-reporting of EBF. One in five infants <6 months were exclusively bottle fed (19.7%; 23/117) and 48.4% (156/322) aged 0-23 months had received bottle feeding in the preceding 24 hours. Eighty-four percent (36/43) of 6-8-month-old infants were receiving complementary foods. BF was continued in 32.5% (13/40) of children 12-15 months old. In children 6-23 months, 44.0% (90/205) received foods from four or more food groups, 71.0% (145/205) received complementary foods the recommended minimum number of times or more, and 44.4% (91/205) received a minimum acceptable diet. The prevalence of stunting and overweight in children was 28.9% and 21.8%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight in mothers/caregivers was 28.9%, and 33.7% were obese, with a mean waist circumference of 88.6 cm. Conclusion. Indicators showed sub-optimal IYCF practices with child under- and overnutrition coexisting with maternal/caregiver overnutrition. This profile signals a need for urgent and appropriate interventions focusing on the first 1 000 days of life. S Afr J Child Health 2016;10(1):37-42. DOI:10.7196/SAJCH.2016.v10i1.984