ABSTRACT
This
study aimed at assessing the dietary diversity, feeding pattern and
anthropometric measurement of breastfeeding mothers and ascertain the
relationship between breastfeeding mothers dietary diversity, feeding pattern
and anthropometric status of their children in Obowo Local Government Area of
Imo state. The data on feeding practice, dietary diversity of the mothers and
anthropometric status of the children were obtained with the use of
questionnaire. A total of 400 breastfeeding mothers responded to the
questionnaire. The result of the study revealed that 33.7% of the mothers were
between the ages of 21-30yrs, More than half (51.7%) of the mothers were
married. More than half (54.3%) of the mothers had tertiary education and 30.6%
of the mothers were traders. A quarter (25.4%) of the mothers earned less than
30,000 naira monthly. Majority (73.4%) of the mothers worked between 4-8 hours
daily, 16% worked for more than 8 hours. Less than half (46.9%) of the mothers
ate 3 times daily, 41.4% ate more 4 or more times daily. The Majority (80.3%)
of the mothers ate at home. More than half (53.7%) of the mothers ate when they
are hungry and 25.4% ate once the food is available and are satisfied with the
food they ate. Most (60.3%) of the mothers do not skip meals. Most (62.0%) of
the mothers consumed in between meals sometimes and 34.0% of the mothers
reported that their favorite food is rice. All the mothers have a high dietary
diversity score. This implied that the mothers consumed food from more than 6
food groups in the last 24 hours. Most (67.1%) of the mothers consume garri
twice a day. More than half (52.3%) of the mothers consume meat once daily. The
anthropometric status revealed that the majority (73.7%) of the babies had a
normal BMI for their age and 12.5% of the babies were overweight. This showed
that the children were moderately nourished. Most of the babies (60.1%) had a
normal height for their age. Majority (91.4%) of the babies had a normal weight
for their age and the majority (83.1%) of the children had a normal mid-upper
arm circumference (MUAC). A strong positive relationship was observed between
the dietary diversity score of the mothers and the MUAC of the children. The
Study recommended that breastfeeding mothers should consume more of vegetables,
fruits and high protein diets which help the body to replenish the nutrient it
needs to produce healthy breastmilk for their babies.
IHEDIOHA, I (2024). Dietary Diversity, Feeding Pattern Of Breastfeeding Mothers And Anthropometry Of Their Children In Obowo Local Government Area Of Imo State: Ihedioha, Sandra T. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 23, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-diversity-feeding-pattern-of-breastfeeding-mothers-and-anthropometry-of-their-children-in-obowo-local-government-area-of-imo-state-ihedioha-sandra-t-7-2
IHEDIOHA, IHEDIOHA. "Dietary Diversity, Feeding Pattern Of Breastfeeding Mothers And Anthropometry Of Their Children In Obowo Local Government Area Of Imo State: Ihedioha, Sandra T" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 20 Sep. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-diversity-feeding-pattern-of-breastfeeding-mothers-and-anthropometry-of-their-children-in-obowo-local-government-area-of-imo-state-ihedioha-sandra-t-7-2. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
IHEDIOHA, IHEDIOHA. "Dietary Diversity, Feeding Pattern Of Breastfeeding Mothers And Anthropometry Of Their Children In Obowo Local Government Area Of Imo State: Ihedioha, Sandra T". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 20 Sep. 2024. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-diversity-feeding-pattern-of-breastfeeding-mothers-and-anthropometry-of-their-children-in-obowo-local-government-area-of-imo-state-ihedioha-sandra-t-7-2 >.
IHEDIOHA, IHEDIOHA. "Dietary Diversity, Feeding Pattern Of Breastfeeding Mothers And Anthropometry Of Their Children In Obowo Local Government Area Of Imo State: Ihedioha, Sandra T" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 23 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-diversity-feeding-pattern-of-breastfeeding-mothers-and-anthropometry-of-their-children-in-obowo-local-government-area-of-imo-state-ihedioha-sandra-t-7-2