A Cross-Sectional Study on Nutritional Status and Complementary Feeding Pattern of Children Under Two Years of Age in Selected Area of Dhaka City

Inadequate nutrition during the first two years of life may lead to childhood morbidity and mortality, as well as increased risk of malnutrition causing developmental retardation. Feeding practices could play a pivotal role in determining the optimal development of infants. However, this study aims to investigate the nutritional status of children under the age of two In Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 104 children of under two years of age, dwelling in Badda, Dhaka during the month of September 2014 to June 2015. All the data were collected through semi structured questionnaire using face to face interview technique and anthropometric data were collected using standard procedure. Among all the children, 16.3% were suffering from severe form of stunting, and 27.9% from moderate form. Whereas only 56.3% were exclusively breastfed while 43.7% were fed with prelacteal feeding. On the other hand, there was no significant association observed between nutritional status of children and breastfeeding practices and complementary feeding pattern. Though there was no significant association, lower rate of exclusive breastfeeding, higher rate of prelacteal feeding practice and higher rate of disease occurrence could act as contributing factors to form malnutrition among children of under two years of age. The identified associated or contributing factors could be used for designing and planning preventive programs for the target group.

Nutritional status, Complementary feeding, Malnutrition, Prelacteal feeding

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