Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study
Abstract Objective: To assess infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Lebanon and investigate their associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Design: A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in 2012–2013. In addition to a socio-demographic and lifestyle questio...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Public Health Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980022000842/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797742032191488000 |
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| author | Farah Naja Nahla Hwalla Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor Rasha Zgheib Lara Nasreddine |
| author_facet | Farah Naja Nahla Hwalla Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor Rasha Zgheib Lara Nasreddine |
| author_sort | Farah Naja |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
Objective:
To assess infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Lebanon and investigate their associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.
Design:
A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in 2012–2013. In addition to a socio-demographic and lifestyle questionnaire, a 24-h dietary recall for the children was collected, with mothers as proxies. IYCF practices were assessed based on the 2021 indicators of the WHO.
Setting:
Lebanon.
Participants:
Children aged 0–23 months and their mothers (n 469).
Results:
While the majority of infants were ever breastfed (87·6 %), the prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding (BF) in those under 6 months of age was 11·0 %. Early initiation of BF was 28 %. A greater child’s birth order, partner’s support for BF, higher parental education, maternal BF knowledge and non-smoking were associated with higher odds of meeting BF recommendations. As for complementary feeding, 92·8 % of children (6–23 months) met the minimum meal frequency indicator, 37·5 % met the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 34·4 % met the minimum adequate diet (MAD). The consumption of unhealthy food was observed amongst 48·9 % of children, with nearly 37 % consuming sweet beverages. Older maternal age and maternal overweight/obesity were associated with lower odds of meeting MDD and MAD, while child’s age and partner’s support for BF were associated with higher odds.
Conclusions:
The results documented suboptimal IYCF practices amongst Lebanese children and identified a number of factors associated with these practices. Findings from this study will help guide the development of culture-specific programmes aimed at improving IYCF practices in Lebanon.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:35:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-534e280b500d4e8895caf9db8294efd8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1368-9800 1475-2727 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:35:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Public Health Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-534e280b500d4e8895caf9db8294efd82023-08-17T10:00:44ZengCambridge University PressPublic Health Nutrition1368-98001475-27272023-01-012614315910.1017/S1368980022000842Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national studyFarah Naja0Nahla Hwalla1Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor2Rasha Zgheib3Lara Nasreddine4Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonDepartment of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonInserm 1256 NGERE, Nancy, FranceDepartment of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon Abstract Objective: To assess infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Lebanon and investigate their associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Design: A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in 2012–2013. In addition to a socio-demographic and lifestyle questionnaire, a 24-h dietary recall for the children was collected, with mothers as proxies. IYCF practices were assessed based on the 2021 indicators of the WHO. Setting: Lebanon. Participants: Children aged 0–23 months and their mothers (n 469). Results: While the majority of infants were ever breastfed (87·6 %), the prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding (BF) in those under 6 months of age was 11·0 %. Early initiation of BF was 28 %. A greater child’s birth order, partner’s support for BF, higher parental education, maternal BF knowledge and non-smoking were associated with higher odds of meeting BF recommendations. As for complementary feeding, 92·8 % of children (6–23 months) met the minimum meal frequency indicator, 37·5 % met the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 34·4 % met the minimum adequate diet (MAD). The consumption of unhealthy food was observed amongst 48·9 % of children, with nearly 37 % consuming sweet beverages. Older maternal age and maternal overweight/obesity were associated with lower odds of meeting MDD and MAD, while child’s age and partner’s support for BF were associated with higher odds. Conclusions: The results documented suboptimal IYCF practices amongst Lebanese children and identified a number of factors associated with these practices. Findings from this study will help guide the development of culture-specific programmes aimed at improving IYCF practices in Lebanon. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980022000842/type/journal_articleFirst 1000 daysBreast-feeding practicesComplementary feeding practicesDeterminantsLebanon |
| spellingShingle | Farah Naja Nahla Hwalla Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor Rasha Zgheib Lara Nasreddine Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study Public Health Nutrition First 1000 days Breast-feeding practices Complementary feeding practices Determinants Lebanon |
| title | Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_full | Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_fullStr | Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_short | Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study |
| title_sort | infant and young child feeding practices in lebanon a cross sectional national study |
| topic | First 1000 days Breast-feeding practices Complementary feeding practices Determinants Lebanon |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980022000842/type/journal_article |
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